Spartanburg, S.C. - Southern Wesleyan defeated the Converse Valkyries in a 16-9 final on Saturday. 

The Warriors put up 28 shots and 24 shots on goal in the win. Tabitha Beecher led the team with seven shots on goal in the game. She was followed by Amy Pfefferkorn with six shots on goal and Betsy Bovee with five. Beecher led the team with five goals during the game. Pfefferkorn posted four goals and Bovee added three. Beecher, Pfefferkorn, and Skylar Taylor each had an assist. 

Southern Wesleyan collected 15 ground balls with Jairy Sandoval leading the team with seven. Sandoval, Kelsey Hawkins, and Jocelyn Cosgrove each had four draw controls of the team's seventeen. The Warriors caused 13 turnovers during the game. Kaeleigh McDaniel played all sixty minutes in goal and collected 10 saves.

Game Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 16, Converse 9

Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-1 / CC 2-1) Converse (0-5 / CC 0-4)

How It Happened

Betsy Bovee would attack first with a free position attempt to score her first goal of the game two minutes in. Jocelyn Cosgrove would win the next draw control for the Warriors and Tabitha Beecher would have her first shot that would result in a save for the Valkryries goalie. Converse advanced down the field to take their first shot of the game, but Kaeleigh McDaniel would be credited with the save. Amy Pfefferkorn would collect her first goal of the season after the Warriors made it back down the field. Converse would counter with two goals before Beecher would add back-to-back goals and extend the Warriors lead to 4-2. Bovee then scored her second goal on the day after Madalynn Crawford caused a Valkyrie turnover. Kelsey Hawkins posted her first shot on goal after a successful clear attempt and assist from Pfefferkorn. The Warriors now led 6-4. Southern Wesleyan tacked on one more goal before halftime as Beecher posted her third of the contest and the Warriors would cling to a 7-5 lead at the half.

The Warriors won the first draw control in the second period which would lead to Pfefferkorn's second goal of the season four minutes into the half. Pfefferkorn and Bovee would then score consecutively to give the Warriors a 10-5 lead and each player added their third goal on the day. The Valkyries responded with their sixth goal moments later. McDaniel followed that goal with another save and the Warriors would move on with a clear attempt. Beecher answered on the successful clear attempt with her fourth goal of the contest. Halfway through the second half, the Warriors took a six goal advantage as Tricia Sands would score her first goal of the 2020 season. Southern Wesleyan would add three more goals with one coming from Beecher, Hawkins, and Skylar Taylor to give them the 16-9 win over Converse.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will host Davis & Elkins on March 7 at 12 p.m. They will then play at Coker on March 9 as they take on the Cobras at 3 p.m.