DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 14th-ranked Embry-Riddle women's lacrosse team notched a big victory in Sunshine State Conference play on Wednesday, upending ninth-ranked Florida Southern, 15-7, at the ERAU Lacrosse Stadium. Friday marked the Eagles' fifth defeat of a ranked team this season and is the program's first against an NCAA II top-10 foe and the first win against Florida Southern in the short series history.
The Eagles held a Florida Southern side that averages 17.38 goals and 31.62 shots per game to just seven goals on 17 shots, only 13 of which were on target.
The ERAU offense came out firing on all cylinders tallying 15 goals and five assists for a total of 20 points, while winning 12 draw controls, picking 19 ground balls and causing 16 turnovers.
Sallie Squire scored six goals to lead all players and recorded her sixth game of the season with five goals or more.
Elizabeth Ninesling had a solid all-around performance with two goals on three shots to go with eight ground balls, eight caused turnovers and five draw controls.
Tori Lammes added three goals, and
Murphy McDonough and
Callison Foreman added two goals apiece.
The Blue and Gold dominated the offense to start the game. After FSC's Madison Tare got the first goal of the game the Eagles scored five unanswered, including a pair by Lammes to go up 5-1 at the end of the first.
The second quarter proved to be a defensive battle with both sides combining for just three goals during those 15 minutes. Once again, the Lady Mocs struck first but Squire and McDonough added two goals to the Eagle tally to give ERAU a 7-2 lead at the half.
The Eagles continued to pressure the FSC defense to start the second half and goals by Ninesling and Squire pushed the ERAU lead to seven (9-2). The Lady Mocs managed to find the net twice late in the third, but Squire and Lammes each recorded an unassisted finish to reclaim the seven-goal (11-4) cushion.
Foreman scored one of her two goals 27 seconds into the fourth quarter and that started a four-goal run that put the Eagles up 15-4. The Lady Mocs mounted a late rally, but while they were able to cut the deficit, their efforts were not enough to catch the Eagles.
The Eagles play their final regular season road game at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday against Tampa.
