MOUNT OLIVE — Facing its first nationally ranked opponent of the year, the University of Mount Olive’s women’s lacrosse team fell to No. 12 Embry-Riddle by a 16-7 margin On Tuesday afternoon at Ray McDonald Sr. Sports Complex.
With the loss, UMO falls 1-1 on the season while playing its opening two games at home. Meanwhile, the Eagles improve to 3-0 after being picked third in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) and returned a pair of All-American team selections.
Embry-Riddle established an early lead as the Eagles scored five unanswered goals in the initial seven minutes of the opening quarter, 5-0. In response, sophomore Maddy Fratus found fifth year Bria Hamilton on a man-up opportunity to put one past the keeper with three seconds left in the first quarter, 5-1. At the start of the second quarter, the Eagles took advantage of their man-up opportunity and were able to score at the 14:04 mark, 6-1.
At 12:59, the Trojans capitalized on their man-up chance with a goal by senior Logan Hibbard, 6-2. Following a groundball pickup, junior Rileigh White stuffed the ball in the back of the cage at the 10:58 mark, 6-3. Less than a minute later, sophomore Hannah Legge scored off a pass by Hibbard to bring the game within two, 6-4.
Staying quiet since the beginning of the quarter, the Eagles were able to score to extend the lead by three, 7-4. In response, Hibbard found junior Teagan Dunnett from behind the cage to cut the deficit, 7-5. Closing the first half, Embry-Riddle scored at the 3:53 mark of the second quarter, 8-5.
The second half of the game started off strong for the Trojans as the defense forced multiple turnovers for the Eagles. Four minutes into the third quarter, Embry-Riddle was able to score back-to-back goals, 10-5.
Awarded a free position opportunity, Hibbard put one in the back of the cage at the 9:10 mark, 10-6. Soon after, the Eagles scored to extend the lead by five going into the fourth quarter, 11-6. In the last frame of the game, Embry-Riddle was first to score at the 12:48 mark, 12-6.
Shortly after, Mount Olive was awarded with a free position shot. Ripping a shot from the top of the eight, Dunnett scored her second goal of the game, 12-7. Ending the game, the Eagles scored four straight goals to seal the 16-7 victory over the Trojans.
Junior goalkeeper Anna James collected a career-high of nine saves and three groundballs in 46:32 minutes of play.
Dunnet collected two goals while teammate Hibbard collected two goals and two assists. Hamilton snagged six draw controls along with a goal.
The Trojans return to conference play as they head to Georgia to play Emmanuel on Saturday at noon.
