LAKELAND, Fla. – The fifth-ranked Queens University of Charlotte women's lacrosse team (4-0) handed No. 7 Florida Southern University (3-3) a 15-14 loss this afternoon giving the Royals their first-ever program win over the Mocs.
 
Senior attacker Ally Blood led the Royals with five points on four goals and one assists. She also crossed the 200 career points mark in the win. Kyleigh Masteran added a hat trick, two ground balls, and two caused turnovers while Rachel Perrett recorded three goals, six draw controls and two ground balls. Additionally, Kara Blanchard and Taylor Quade each had three points on two goals and one assist. Goalkeeper Sara Mitrecic picked up her first win of the year after totaling three saves in 32:36.
 
After falling behind, 2-0, early, the Royals scored three goals in a row to take a 3-2 lead with 24:08 on the clock. However, the rest of the half would belong to the Mocs as they put together a 6-1 push to take an 8-4 lead into the halftime break.
 
In the second half, Queens fought its way back into the game with a 6-2 run that knotted things up at 10-10 with 16:35 left in regulation. The Mocs responded with a pair of goals to move back in front, 12-10, but Perrett and Blood answered for the Royals to tie the game once again at 12-12 just before the 10-minute mark.
 
Florida Southern would see its final lead of the day on a goal from Sarah Grady at 7:17 which put them on top 13-12 before the Royals closed the game with a 3-1 run to leave Lakeland victorious. During the run, Perrett tied the game at 13-13 before Blood scored the go ahead goal with 5:19 left in regulation. Masteran then netted an insurance goal at just under the two-minute mark.
 
Both teams recorded 27 shots this afternoon as Queens edged the Mocs, 21-20, in shots on goal. Queens also won the battle at the draw, 17-13, though Florida Southern totaled 27 ground balls to the Royals' 15.
 
Brenna Smith led the Mocs with six goals while Grady added four goals. Alanna Zambetti recorded the loss in the net after totaling two saves in 10:43. Patricia Werker recorded four saves in 49:17.
 
The Royals will remain on the road for their next game, opening South Atlantic Conference play on Friday, March 6 at Coker University. Play is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.