TRAVELERS REST, SC - The #5 seed women's lacrosse team played their first ever Conference Carolinas postseason game on Monday, the quarterfinals match against #4 seed North Greenville. The game was back and forth the entire way, but ultimately the Crusaders edged out a 16-13 victory. This advances NGU to the semifinals, where they will face #1 seed Mount Olive.
First period:
The first four minutes of regulation didn't see a goal, but it was Justine Dorelas of Emmanuel who was ultimately first to find the net. Bailie Garland scored soon after, giving Emmanuel an early 2-0 advantage. However, the Crusaders closed out the opening period with four goals in a row, giving them a 4-2 lead after 15 minutes.
Second period:
The Crusaders scored first, but the Lions soon answered when Skyler Heard scored off an assist from Anna Gill. Garland followed that with her second goal of the match. The last four minutes of the half were extremely fast paced as six total goals were scored, three for each team. Garland, Gill, and Mickaela Davis provided the offensive production for the Lions. This led to a one goal advantage for North Greenville at halftime, 8-7.
Third period:
The Lions got a yellow card at the end of regulation in the second period, forcing them to play a woman down to start the third. This was no issue for Dorelas and Gill, however, as they both scored within the first minute of the second half despite the disadvantage. This gave the Lions their first lead since their opening goals, 9-8. Gill found the net again five minutes later, putting her goal tally at three for the match and giving Emmanuel a 10-8 advantage. The Crusaders scored the last two of the third period, knotting the score (10-10) with 15 minutes to play for a spot in the semifinals.
Fourth period:
Four goals in a row for the Crusaders started to narrow Emmanuel's chances, but Christine Nguyen and Garland finally found the net with just under five minutes to go, drawing the Lions back within two (12-14). With under two minutes to go the Lions got a couple chances to score once more, but near-misses and solid defense from NGU prevented the two goals Emmanuel needed. Instead it was NGU who scored at the 1:25 mark. Dorelas scored for the Lions with 50 seconds to go, but that was the last time Emmanuel would see the net as the Crusaders took the victory, 16-13.
Bailie Garland led the way with four goals, while Anna Gill and Justine Dorelas followed with three a piece.
Congratulations to these ladies on a record-breaking season, we know it's just the beginning!
For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.
