CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Nine Royals scored in this evening's women's lacrosse game as Queens University of Charlotte held off the Rangers of Regis University to win 12-11. The Royals improve to 2-3 overall with the non-conference victory, while Regis begins their season at 0-1.
Neither team could get into an offensive rhythm to begin the game as ten minutes passed without a single goal. Enna Saffos (Centerville, Md., Queen Anne) found the back of the net off of a feed from Kelley Duffey (New Hope, Minn. , Robinsdale Cooper ) for the first goal of the game. The assist was the first of a total of five for Duffey in the game. Two minutes later Brittany Philip (Corning, N.Y., Corning East) fired the ball in to the cage for a 2-0 lead at 18:52. Duffey assisted her goal as well. It seemed as if Queens was on a roll until the Rangers matched their goals after scoring two within a minute and four seconds. Regis got their only lead of the game with 1:41 on the clock off an unassisted goal by Morgan Taylor. The Rangers' lead was short lived though as Caitlin Miller (Ocean View, Del., Worcester Prep) tied the game back up at 4-4 just before the half giving Duffey her third assist of the game.
At the half, the Royals had 17 ground balls to the Rangers' 14. Queens also led in draw controls 5-4. Both teams turned the ball over 12 times.
Queens came out on fire in the second half scoring three quick goals within six minutes of play. Regis didn't back down as they got within one goal of the Royals three times before tying the game up, 9-9, with their third free-position shot of the half. The Rangers went 4-7 in free-position shots in the second half keeping them in the game.
Brittany Barnwell (Lorton, Va., Bishop Ireton) scored her second goal of the game and her 15th of the season with 11:26 on the clock to take the lead for Queens for the final time of the game. Regis continued their attack, but the Royals fought them off forcing turnovers and matching their goals to hold on to the lead for the win.
Queens outshot Regis 35-25 in the game, and committed less turnovers with 20 to Regis's 29.
Philip, Barnwell, and O'Rourke each scored two goals in the win. Duffey recorded one goal, five assists, and two ground balls. On the defensive end, Barnwell led with three caused turnovers. Goalie Rebecca Markle (Hampstead, Md., North Carroll ) recorded six ground balls and six saves.
Evelyn Pierrepont of Regis led her team with five goals and three draw controls. Goal keeper Brittany Farniok tallied 12 saves in the loss.
The Royals are back in action against East Stroudsburg on Monday, March 8th at 11:00 a.m. at the Queens Sports Complex.
