via Webber press release/website

BOX SCORE

MARIETTA, Ga. (March 19, 2023) – Playing in its Sun Conference opener, the Webber International University women’s lacrosse team traveled to Georgia to battle the Running Eagles of No. 4 Life University on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors suffered an 18-10 defeat to the home team, as now two of their three defeats are to top-four teams in the NAIA.

It was the Sun Conference opener for both teams as the Warriors (5-3 overall, 0-1 SUN) took an early lead but ultimately fell to the Running Eagles (6-1, 1-0).

Webber drew first blood thanks to an unassisted goal by Makayla Senter. Kaitlyn Patterson doubled the Warrior-lead after receiving a pass from Madison Hamilton and firing it past the goalie roughly two minutes later. Life overcame its slow start and scored four-straight goals over the remainder of the first quarter to take a 4-2 lead entering the second quarter. The Warriors never regained the lead for the remainder of the game.

The Running Eagles got the momentum in their favor and never looked back as it continued into the second quarter. Life scored five more to start the new period, extending its lead to 9-2. With less than 30 seconds til halftime, Patterson scored a man-up goal off of an assist by Bryce Gerber. 16 seconds later, Gerber scored a solo-goal of her own to cut the deficit to five points at the break.

Gerber then scored the first goal of the second half less than a minute in, reducing Life’s lead to four. That is as close as the Warriors came, however, as the Running Eagles did enough to keep Webber at bay for the rest of the game.

Gerber led the way offensively with a team-high seven points on five goals and two assists. She was followed by Patterson who ended with four goals for four points while adding four ground balls and three caused turnovers. Senter contributed with the only other goal of the game as Hamilton and Natalie Bartek each had an assist. Alia Loydd tied for the team-high in both ground balls with four and caused turnovers with four. Reyanna Troupe led the defense with four caused turnovers followed by Nicky Greene with three. Jordyn Davidson spent the majority of the game in the net, tallying 10 total saves on the day.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Warriors as they will now host No. 1 Keiser University for the second time this season on Saturday, March 25th at 12 p.m.