Belmont, NC – The Emmanuel Women's Lacrosse team traveled to Belmont, NC this afternoon to take on the Belmont Abbey Crusaders in conference play. The Crusaders got off to a strong start, taking a 6-3 lead in the first quarter and controlled the pace of the game the rest of the way to earn a 17-12 victory. With the loss, the Lions fall to 4-4 on the season, 0-2 in conference action. 

The Crusaders got on the board first scoring the first two goals to take a 2-0 lead. Kristie Fisher responded with a goal for the Lions to make it 2-1 with 11:31 to play in the first. Paige Murphy tied things up at 2-2 for the Lions, assisted by Fisher with 9:04 to play in the 1^st. Belmont Abbey scored the next two to take a 4-2 lead, but the Lions responded with a goal by Taylor Schubert, assisted by Murphy to make it 4-3, Crusaders. The Crusaders closed out the quarter strong, adding two goals to their lead to take a 6-3 lead into the 2^nd quarter.

The Crusaders scored first in the 2^nd quarter to take a 7-3 lead. The Lions answered back with a goal by Demi Czynski with 11:23 to play before half to make it 7-4. Schubert found the net for her second goal of the day with 10:03 to play in the quarter to cut the Crusader lead to 7-5. Belmont Abbey scored the next two to go up 9-5. Fisher closed out the quarter with a goal to make it 9-6, Crusaders heading into the break.

The Crusaders struck first in the third to go up 10-6. The Lions responded with goals by Fisher, assisted by Czynski and Murphy to cut the lead to 10-8. The Crusaders closed out the quarter on a 4-0 scoring run to take a 14-8 lead into the fourth quarter.

Belmont Abbey found the net first in the fourth to go up 15-8. Murphy found the net for her third goal of the day to make it 15-9, Crusaders with 8:17 to play. The Crusaders scored the next two to go up 17-9. The Lions would rally to score the next three goals. Murphy scored with 5:06 to play to put the Lions within seven, at 17-10 and Fisher scored her fourth to make it 17-11. With 1:06 to play, Murphy scored her fifth and final goal of the game to make the final score 17-12, Crusaders.

Paige Murphy led the Lions with 5 goals, with Kristie Fisher adding 4. Four Lions ended the night with an assist. 

Next up, the Lions will host #16 ranked Flagler at Stephens Field on Friday at 6PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.