GEORGETOWN, Ky.— After falling behind early, the Montreat women's lacrosse team nearly completed an impressive comeback against the Georgetown College Tigers on the road Saturday afternoon. Though the Cavaliers fought valiantly, the squad fell in a tight 13-12 contest, moving to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action in 2023.
Georgetown (7-8, 5-2 AAC), who is receiving votes in the NAIA Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Top 10 Poll, scored early and often to build its advantage. The Tigers struck just 12 seconds into the competition before
Sydney Chivers pulled the Cavaliers level with her first goal of the season.
GC then tallied five of the remaining six goals of the period to lead 6-2 through 15 minutes.
Dovie Yates' finish off a feed from
Kate Gauntlett was the Cavs' other goal that broke up the scoring stretch from the home team. The Tigers then rattled off another offensive spree in the second, notching three of the four goals in the frame to go up 9-3 at the intermission as Gauntlett's first of the afternoon separated the trio of Georgetown scores.
Gauntlett went on to trim the gap slightly in the third quarter, striking three additional times in the period alone; however, the hosts answered every tally with one of their own as the teams alternated six goals and the Tigers doubled Montreat up 12-6 with 15 minutes remaining.
With time dwindling, the Cavaliers pressed offensively. The visitors immediately closed their deficit to just two goals following scores from four different players over a span of 2:26 to start the final quarter.
Izzy Knight,
Aleea Bone,
Hannah Jarboe and Gauntlett each found the back of the net during the stretch. Bone then brought the Cavs within one as she fired home an attempt with 5:38 on the clock.
Despite the offensive surge from Montreat, GC used a response 19 seconds later to register an important insurance goal and make it 13-11. Gauntlett concluded her day with her sixth goal of the afternoon with 2:18 left, but the Tigers saw out their triumph to win by one.
Overall, the home side barely edged the Cavaliers in shots (26-25), shots on goal (20-18) and ground balls (14-10). Montreat recorded more draw controls (18-11) and earned more free position shots (4-2) in the tight loss.
Gauntlett captained all players with six goals and eight points, while Bone (2G) also netted multiple goals. Knight ended with a goal and two assists, and
Mina Hicks totaled a pair of helpers in the matchup.
Kierra Stephens stopped seven of Georgetown's 20 shots on target in the contest.
Women's lacrosse looks to bounce back when the team returns to action on Tuesday at Warren Wilson. Opening draw control in Swannanoa, N.C. is slated for 5:00 p.m.
