GAFFNEY, S.C. – The No. 6 Queens Royals won a thriller on the road as they topped 13^th- ranked Limestone, 9-8. The win extends the team's win streak to six and moves the Royals overall record to 9-1. Queens handed the Saints their first loss while remaining undefeated in South Atlantic Conference play (7-0).
 
Ally Blood led the way for the Royals doing a little bit of everything en route to an impressive five-point haul on two goals and three assists. Kara Blanchard remained a constant threat to the Limestone defense and couldn't be held down as she posted four points with a pair of goals and assists. She now has over 100 goals with the Royals. Kyleigh Masteran was able to find the back of the cage as well finishing the day with two. Solo goals from Sydney Bracken, Shannon Donovan, and Rachel Perrett rounded out the scoring for the Royals.
 
Queens battled with Limestone for the entire game as both teams went on runs, but neither side could get firm control over the contest. Blanchard kicked things off thirty seconds into the game, which just set the pace for an intense evening. After the goal, the Royals slipped to the back foot as the pendulum swung in the Saints favor. Queens would not have many chances over the next five minutes as Limestone equalized the game at 1-1.
 
The Saints seemed as though they were just about ready to roll until the game took another turn and the Royals sprung back on the offensive. Two goals in a forty-second span gave Queens a 3-1 lead and shifted the momentum. The next 10 minutes was played at such a frantic pace you would expect both sides to have scored a handful of goals. However, both defensive units did well to cope with the onslaught of offensive pressure and the teams only traded one goal apiece.
 
With the game sitting at 4-2 Limestone did not let off the gas pedal finding another gear the Royals could not match. After a three-goal Saints run over the next nine minutes Queens found themselves trailing for the first time, 5-4. However, the Royals were able to pick themselves up and respond before halftime as the two sides went into the break even at 5-5.
 
Queens came out of the locker room looking to take every opportunity that was given to them in what can only be described as a slugfest. The Royals pounced all over two early Saints penalties converting both and regaining their advantage. Queens then added one more in the opening 10 minutes of the second half to take their largest lead of the game 8-5.
 
Limestone did not go quietly into the night but continued to probe the Royals defense until they were able to string a pair of goals together and cut the Queens lead to one. The final 10 minutes of the contest saw the defense step up on both sides allowing few chances at both ends. Blood was able to break the Saints defense one last time and that would prove to be the game-winner as the Royals held onto a tight 9-8 victory.
 
The final score was reflective of an immensely close game played by two talented teams. Queens out shot Limestone 23-22 and found the net on more occasions beating the Saints 18-15. Both sides had trouble holding onto the ball and finished with almost an equal number of turnovers, 26 for the Royals and 27 for Limestone. Queens was able to clear the ball with continued success finishing the day 12-14 for an 85 percent success rate. The Saints concluded the game 15-21 on clears for a 71 percent success rate.
 
Additionally, the Royals picked up 33 groundballs as Limestone came away with 28. Queens also won 10 draws as the Saints compiled nine.
 
The Royals are back in action Saturday April 10 as they host South Atlantic Conference opponent UVA-Wise for Senior Day. Their clash with the Cavaliers is set for a 1 p.m. start.