PBA Women: Sailfish Drop High-Scoring Game Against Crusaders
via PBA press release, by Brad Seitz, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
BELMONT, N.C. – The Palm Beach Atlantic women’s lacrosse team left the state for the first time this season as they traveled to face Belmont Abbey. The Sailfish failed to slow down the Crusader’s attack as they fell in an offensive shootout 22-12. PBA’s record drops to 1-3 on the season.
The Sailfish fell behind immediately as Belmont Abbey opened the game on a quick 3-0 scoring run over the opening three minutes of play. After a PBA timeout, the Sailfish stabilized on an Addyson Johnson goal at the 10:42 mark and thirty seconds later, Kiki Cinotti found the back of the net. After that goal, however, the Crusaders closed the quarter on a 6-1 scoring run and led 9-3 at the end of the first. PBA was outshot 15-6 in the first 15 minutes of play and lost 10-of-13 draw controls.
Katie Avena opened the second quarter by scoring for PBA, but the Crusaders scored the next four goals and led 13-4 before Anna Laskaris ended the BAC scoring streak. The two sides went scoreless for the final six minutes of play in the first half as the ‘Fish went into the locker room trailing 13-5.
The two sides each scored three goals in the third quarter. The Sailfish cut the deficit to as low as six early in the third as Laskaris and Sara Metheny each scored early. However, PBA was unable to slow the Crusader’s attack as they outshot the Sailfish 39-28 in the game. After the lopsided opening quarter of draw controls, the two sides were even for the rest of the game, but PBA was unable to capitalize as well on the possession they retained as Belmont Abbey goalies combined to make 13 saves. For the Sailfish, Courtney Rausch continued in goal for PBA as the early season SSC Defender of the Week made five saves while allowing on 27 shots on goal.
The Sailfish were outscored 6-4 in the final quarter of play as the Crusaders extended the lead late and the Sailfish were never able to get the deficit below six in the second half. Laskaris led the ‘Fish with four goals in the game, while Cinotti and Johnson each added two of their own. Mattie Davis led PBA with two ground balls and two caused turnovers.
The Sailfish will remain in North Carolina for the next couple of days and return to action when they play at Queens on March 11. The Sailfish will look to play upset against the Lions who are 5-0 on the year and ranked No. 3 in the country.
