Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Women's Lacrosse team hosted the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks today in non-conference play. It was a defensive battle to start, with neither team breaking the game open. The Lions took control of the game in the 2^nd period, and although the Skyhawks would make it interesting the Lions would come out on top, 20-13. With the win the Lions improve to 9-4 on the season. 
 
Fort Lewis got on the board first, scoring with 9:05 to go in the first period and again two minutes later to go up 2-0. Emmanuel would respond, with a goal from Paige Murphy with 4:37 to play in the period, to cut the Skyhawks lead to 2-1. Lauren Kuschel would score with 1:33 to play in the 1^st, assisted by Murphy to tie things up at 2-2 heading into the 2^nd period. 
 
In the 2^nd period, the Skyhawks got on the board first to take a 3-2 lead with 10:33 to play. Demi Czynski found the net with 9:50 to play, assisted by Murphy to tie things up at 3-3. Kuschel scored her 2^nd of the day with 8:53 to play, assisted by Ashley Mercker to give the Lions their first lead of the day 4-3. Murphy tacked on her 2^nd goal of the day with 7:59 to play in the 2^nd to give the Lions a two-point lead, 5-3. Czynski scored with 5:49 to play in the 2^nd, assisted by Meghan Jennings to make it 6-3, Lions. The Skyhawks closed out the period with a goal to make it 6-4 after two. 
 
In the third period, the Lions wasted no time getting on the board, with Kuschel grabbing her third goal of the day with 12:45 to play to give the Lions a 7-4 lead. Kristie Fisher got in on the action with 12:18 to play in the 3^rd, assisted by Murphy to make it 8-4, Lions. Fort Lewis scored the next two to bring the game back within two points, 8-6. Murphy would net another goal with 8:39 to play in the 3^rd, assisted by Kuschel to give the Lions a 9-6 lead. Mikaela Austin kept the momentum going in Emmanuel's direction with a goal with 7:17 to play, assisted by Kuschel to make it 10-6. The Skyhawks grabbed the next two goals to make it 10-8, but Murphy would pick up her --- goal of the day with 2:58 to play in the period, assisted by Kuschel to give the Lions a 11-8 lead. The Skyhawks netted the next two goals to make it 11-10, but Fisher responded with a goal for EU with seven seconds to play in the third, to make it 12-10. 
 
The 4th period started with three straight goals for the Lions. Austin found the net with 14:20 to play, assisted by Fisher to give the Lions a 13-10 lead. With 11:18 to play, Austin grabbed another goal, assisted by Murphy to make it 14-10. Murphy found the net again with 10:14 to play to give the Lions a five-point lead, 15-10. The Skyhawks scored with 9:16 to play to make it 15-11, but Austin would respond with her third goal of the period, assisted by Fisher to make it 16-11. Murphy added her next goal with 6:33 to play in the game, assisted by Fisher to give the Lions a 17-11 lead. Fisher got in on the action with 6:16 to go to bring the Lions lead to 18-11. Murphy scored her seventh of the day with 3:15 to go to bring the Lion's lead to 19-11. The Skyhawks scored to bring the Lions lead to 19-12 with 2:11 to play, but Jennings responded with a goal with 1:37 to go, assisted by Fisher to make the score 20-12. The Skyhawks closed out the game with a goal with 23 seconds to play to make the final score, 20-13 Lions. 
 
Paige Murphy ended the day with 7 goals and 4 assists, with Mikaela Austin contributing 4 goals, and Kristie Fisher/Lauren Kuschel adding 3 goals apiece. Kuschel contributed 3 assists, and Fisher added four. 
 
Next up, the Lions will travel to Southern Wesleyan to play the Warriors on Saturday, March 30. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.