via FIT press release/website, by Alex Henderson

BOX SCORE

PBC alum Sophia Schichilone 3G/1A, SJP alum Carly Niro 1G/1A for FIT

WINGATE, N.C. – Florida Tech women’s lacrosse journeyed to Wingate, North Carolina on Monday afternoon for a noon showdown against the No.15 Wingate Bulldogs to close out its North Carolina trip. As the Crimson and Gray trailed 6-12 entering the final 15 minutes of play, A big fourth quarter from the Panthers saw Tech outscore Wingate 5-1 in a comeback attempt, but it wasn’t enough as the Bulldogs came away with the 13-11 win over Tech.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: RV Florida Tech 11, @#15 Wingate 13
Records: Florida Tech (2-2, 0-0 SSC) | Wingate (3-1, 1-0 SAC)
Locations: Irwin Belk Stadium| Wingate, N.C.

FIRST QUARTER:

• The Bulldogs were the first to put points up on the board following a goal from Megan Millard.
• Kayla Minton tied the game on a free position goal with 4:32 remaining in the quarter.
• Emily Blakely and Nelida Watson of Wingate pushed the Bulldog’s lead to two at 3-1 as the quarter concluded.

SECOND QUARTER:

• Sophia Scichilone started the second quarter by scoring her 11^th goal of the season off an assist from Charlotte Hardie.
• Carly Niro would go on to make it an even game, tying it 3-3 with 9:09 to play in the half.
• In the final 8:30 minutes of the quarter, Wingate’s offense scored four goals to take a 7-3 lead, highlighted by two goals from Leah Knowles, to close out the first 30 minutes of play.

THIRD QUARTER:

• Scichilone opened the second half, scoring just 12 seconds into the quarter before Wingate found the back of the net less than a minute later, making it a Bulldogs 8-4 lead.
• The Panthers and Bulldogs would exchange goals yet against 24 seconds apart with Minton scoring on a free position goal for Tech before Wingate answered back to keep it a four-goal game, 9-5.
• The Bulldogs would continue to add on goals in the third, scoring three more, with two of the three coming from the stick of Millard as Wingate led 12-5.
• Caroline Finn recorded her fourth goal of the season with 1:10 left in the third to make it a 12-6 game at the end of the quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER:

• Jennie Boyle’s third goal of the season began the fourth quarter coming off an assist from Michaela Wittman.
• Boyle would go on to assist Finn in the Panther’s next goal less than two minutes to make it 12-8.
• Scichilone joined in on Tech’s four unanswered goals, scoring with 9:15 to play in the quarter before Knowles would snap Tech’s scoring streak 14 seconds later to make it 13-9.
• Karly Liebendorfer became the Panthers’s six-goal scorer of the game, scoring back-to-back goals for the Panthers as Wingate would lead 13-11 with 3:30 to play in the fourth quarter.
• As time expired neither team would put more points up on the board with Wingate taking home the 13-11 win over Florida Tech.

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Sophia Scichilone led the Panthers with four points scoring three goals and one assist.
• The Three Panthers of Finn, Liebendorfer, and Minton all scored two goals for Tech.
• Annabel Frey, Millie Hurt, and Lizzy Christ each recorded three ground balls while Frey led the team with three caused turnovers.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• In the first meeting between Florida Tech and Wingate, the Panthers move to 0-1 all-time against the Bulldogs.
• Wingate outshot Florida Tech 31-25 while the Panthers recorded more shots on goal than the Bulldogs 19-17.
• Wingate recorded a total of 26 turnovers as Tech turned the ball over 19 times.
• The Panthers were 14-16 on clear attempts while Wingate went 21-27.
• The Bulldogs scooped up just one more ground ball that Tech with Wingate recording 20 ground balls to the Crimson and Grays 19.
• At draw controls, Wingate won 15 draws while Tech came away with 13.

UP NEXT: Florida Tech will return home on Friday, March 1^st to host the No.10 Regis Rangers from Denver, Colorado, at Rick Stottler Field with the first draw scheduled for 7:00 P.M.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the Florida Tech women’s lacrosse team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.