Franklin Springs, Ga - The Emmanuel College Women's Lacrosse team have lost their opening game of the season to Conference Carolina's foe Converse College. In tough wintery conditions that saw temperature reach the high 20's and flurries of snow blow across the field, both teams sought to gain composure in the early stages. Despite the conditions, seniors Haley Larson and Savannah Gratz got the Lions off to a flying 3-0 start. Larson found the net after just 13 seconds of play after her sister Tara Larson drew control of the ball and set up the opening goal. Less than 2 minutes later Larson found the net again after a turnover and clearance from EC goalie Emma Pow. Gratz then converted a set shot in the 24^th minute after a team foul on Converse. Converse managed to return a set shot before the Lions' Allie Brock and Tara Larson both converted to give the Lions a 5-1 lead, the biggest of the game. After a slow start to the game, converse worked their way back into contention after three conversions from free position shots. A late goal from Haley Larson with 3 minutes to go gave EC a narrow 6-5 lead at half time. Freshman Midfielder Aleah Marijanich opened up the scoring for the Lions in the second half with a free shot conversion in the 3^rd minute. Within 30 seconds, the Lions took an 8-5 lead as Tara Larson scored from a Haley Larson assist. The two teams continued to trade shots back and forth for the later part of the second half, with 3 late set position conversions enough to put Converse College in the lead by two with 1:48 left on the clock. Haley Larson managed to put the Lions back within a goal after an unassisted effort with just over a minute to go. With 14 seconds left on the clock Allie Brock picked up a ground ball and the Lions moved forward, drawing a foul from Converse. Marijanich hit the crossbar with 5 seconds to go and so the buzzer ran out, signaling a 12-11 victory to Converse.

Haley Larson top scored for the Lions with a 5 goal haul, while Tara Larson and Marijanich each finished with 2, and Brock and Gratz with 1. Emma Pow went all 60 minutes in goal for the Lions, tallying 10 saves in total from 22 shots on goal. Emmanuel struggled to gain control of ground balls, picking up just 29 compared to Converse's 46. Missed free position shots in the opening half came back to haunt the Lions as their overall conversion rate of 2/6 struggled against Converse's 7/14 set shots.  The Lions excelled in draw control however, and recorded 8 move saves than their opponents. EC faces Point University this Saturday at home, in a 2pm start at the Stephens Athletic Fields in Franklin Springs, where they will be looking for their first win of the season. 

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