MISENHEIMER, N.C. – Despite winning the second half of play 8-5, the Royals women's lacrosse team suffered a 16-11 loss at the hands of Pfeiffer University. Queens University of Charlotte now holds a Conference Carolinas record of 4-2 (8-7 overall) while the Falcons improve to 5-1 in the league (10-5 overall).
Brittany Philip (Corning, N.Y., Corning East) got the Royals on the board just under 10 minutes in to the game after Pfeiffer had gone up 2-0 early. After two more Falcons goals, Shannon Casey (Bel Air, Md., John Carroll) and Arika Zimmerman (Fulton, Md., Reservoir) netted back-to-back goals as well bringing Queens to within one of the home team, 4-3. Zimmerman's goal would be the last of the half for the Royals as Pfeiffer went on a 7-to-0 run giving them a seven point lead heading in to the break, 11-3.
Pfeiffer began the second half much like they ended the first scoring three goals in a row. Queens' Caitlin O'Rourke ( Winter Springs, Fla., Winter Springs ) broke up the run notching a goal at the 14:27 mark. Her goal was soon followed by a free-position-shot scored by Zimmerman making the score 14-5. A Kristi Kemp (Lake Mary, Fla., Winter Springs) goal just under the 10 minute mark caped a 3-to-0 run for Queens.
The Royals closed the game scoring five more goals to Pfeiffer's two, however, the first half deficit proved to be too much to overcome.
Zimmerman led the Royals today with a hat trick while Casey, Kemp, and Amanda Martin each scored two goals. Caitlin Flanagan (West Islip, N.Y., West Islip) led Queens with three caused turnovers. Chelsea Lancashire (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Nease) took the loss in goal after collecting nine saves.
Sarah Hebberd led the Falcons and all players with five goals today. Natalie Marvin scored four goals while Alex Cook and Liz Melesh each notched two. Amanda Smith scooped up eight ground balls and had four caused turnovers. Kaitlin Booth takes the win in goal after getting 13 stops.
The Royals are back in action on Tuesday against Belmont Abbey at the Queens Sports Complex at 6pm. Queens won the first game between the two 10-7.
