WINGATE, NC - The Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Lacrosse team can hang their heads high after their performance in the SAC semi-finals. Facing a 17-1 and #15 ranked Wingate squad, Lenoir-Rhyne battled to the end until they eventually fell by a final score of 18-14.
Down 17-8, LR scored six of the game's final seven goals to keep the Bulldogs on their heels.
Chloe Christensen and
Kirra Olson each picked up hat tricks for the Bears.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: (5) Lenoir-Rhyne 14, (1) Wingate 18
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (11-8), Wingate (17-1)
Location: Wingate, N.C. | Irwin Belk Stadium
STORY OF THE GAME:
- Wingate look like they would run away with this one early, taking a 4-0 lead after one.
- Hannah Thomas and Ellie Campbell scored two quick goals in the second quarter to cut the lead in half.
- Following two more Wingate goals, Alexa Burghardt, Abbey Walker, and Kirra Olson made it a one-goal game with 6:10 left in the half.
- The Bulldogs finished the frame strong, taking a 12-6 lead into the locker room.
- Wingate quickly extended their lead to 15-6 with three consecutive goals to open the second half.
- Down 17-8, a Chloe Christensen score sparked a 6-1 run to end the game for the Bears.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Hannah Thomas and Abbey Walker each tallied four points off two goals and two assists.
- Ellie Campbell had four draw controls, two caused turnovers, one ground ball, and one goal.
- Sally Friesen made nine saves in the loss.
- The teams were nearly even on shots, with Wingate leading that category 32-30.
- LR had just one more turnover than the Bulldogs (22-21), but struggled with clears, going just 13-24 for the game.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- This was the first tome since 2019 that the bears won double-digit games in a season.
- LR still holds the all-time lead, 7-6, in the series.
- Kirra Olson finished the season leading the team with 59 points, coming off 49 goals and 10 assists.
- Sally Friesen ranks fourth all time in a single season with 180 saves.
