CHARLOTTE, N.C.  –  The 22^nd-ranked Queens University of Charlotte Royals nearly pulled off an upset over No. 3 Florida Southern this afternoon coming up short as the Mocs escaped Dickson Field with a 14-12 win. The loss snaps Queens' three-game winning streak and brings their record to 3-2 on the year while Florida Southern improves to 5-1 after collecting its fourth win in a row.
 
Freshman midfielder Sydney Bracken recorded the first hat trick of her collegiate career to lead the Royals offensively. Allison Conn, Hanna Scott, and Katie Wardle added two goals each. Bracken also led in draw controls recording four. On the defensive end, Cammy Case and Maggie Fabean notched two caused turnovers each. Case also led in ground balls with four.
 
Queens' Ally Blood would be the first to strike today putting the Royals on the board at 27:06. Florida Southern followed with a goal at 17:17 and the two teams then traded goals until two in a row from the Mocs gave them a 4-3 lead with 10:38 left in the first half. The Royals then scored three unanswered goals, two coming from the stick of Scott, to grab a 6-5 lead with 4:47 on the clock. Florida Southern answered finding the back of the net once more before the break to give the Royals a 6-5 lead at the half.
 
In the second, Rachel Perret zipped the ball into the net at 24:25 to increase the home team's lead back two, 7-5, but a pair of goals from the Mocs soon followed knotting the game at 7-7 with 19:48 left in regulation. A goal from Conn at 17:15 gave the Royals their final lead of the day before Florida Southern scored three consecutive goals to take over control for good.
 
Queens would pull back within one of Florida Southern on two occasions before another three-goal run put the Mocs on top by four, 14-10, with just 4:38 to play. However, the Royals were able to score their final two points of the day on free-position shots closing the margin to two before the final horn sounded. For the game, Queens connected on six-of-nine free-position shots.
 
After scoring 20 or more points in its last three games, the Mocs were held to just 14 points in their win today due in large part to the play of Chase Brokaw in goal for Queens. Brokaw completed 60 minutes of play and recorded a new career-high 17 saves.
 
The Royals were outshot 35-28, putting 21 shots on goal compared to Florida Southern's 31 shots on frame. Additionally, the Mocs won the battle for ground balls, 21-19, and totaled 21 draw controls to Queens' seven.
 
Julia Couch and Sarah Grady each recorded six points on four goals and two assists. Brenna Smith added a hat trick and Maliah Benedetto totaled two goals. Dani Bursinger tallied 18 draw controls to lead all on the field. Patricia Werker collected today's win in goal after totaling nine saves.
 
Queens will return home to Dickson Field on Wednesday, March 13 to face Bloomsburg University. Play is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.