Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan dropped a tough match against the Emmanuel Lions in a 20-12 final score on Wednesday evening.

The Warriors had 29 shots, 26 of which on goal, in the loss to the Lions.  Tabitha Beecher led the team with 11 shots on goal while Jocelyn Cosgrove followed with six.  Beecher led the team with seven goals with both Cosgrove and Kelsey Hawkins following with two goals.  Southern Wesleyan had five assists during the game with Beecher leading the team with two.

Southern Wesleyan had 21 ground balls in the game.  The Warriors caused 14 turnovers.  Both Kelsey Hawkins and Jairy Sandoval led the team with three caused turnovers each.  Kaeleigh McDaniel played all sixty minutes in the goal had had 12 saves.

 
 
Game Vitals

Final: Emmanuel 20, Southern Wesleyan 12

Records: Southern Wesleyan (5-7 / CC 4-2) Emmanuel (6-3 / CC 3-1)
 
 
 
How It Happened

The Lions attacked early as they scored three goals in the first five minutes of play.  The Warriors were not discouraged as Kelsey Hawkins took a pass from Tabitha Beecher and drove to the net.  Hawkins drilled the ball into the back of the cage to score the Warriors first goal of the evening.  Hawkins was not done as she collected the ball a second time and put the ball into the cage once again for her second goal of the day.  The Warriors maintained the pressure as Hawkins took another shot on the goal, but Laila Sampson saved the attack.  However, the Warriors maintained the offensive as Tabitha Beecher collected the deflected attack by Hawkins and put the ball into the cage to tie the game up at three goals each.  The Lions scored twice more in the quarter to put them back on top 5-3.

Southern Wesleyan struck fast in the second quarter as Madison Brugger attacked the net, but Laila Sampson kept the Warriors from cutting into their lead.  The Warriors attacks paid off second later as Jocelyn Cosgrove put the ball into the cage to put Southern Wesleyan within one of Emmanuel.  The Lions countered quickly as a foul in the eight meter allowed Justine Dorelas to score to put Emmanuel back on top by two.  Southern Wesleyan continued to challenge Emmanuel lead as goals by Tabitha Beecher put the Warriors behind the Lions 7-6 with just over eight minutes left before halftime.  Beecher sent the ball over to Jocelyn Cosgrove who put the ball into the cage to tie the game back up.  However, Emmanuel scored three more times to lead 10-7 at the half.

The Warriors charged out of the gate coming out of halftime.  Yael Echeverria caused the Lions to turn the ball over and then raced down the field.  Echeverria passed the ball over to Tabitha Beecher who put the ball into the cage once again.  Beecher scored once again to allow Southern Wesleyan to come to 10-9 behind Emmanuel.  The Lions would not relent as Mickaela Davis and Bailie Garland each scored to push Emmanuel's lead to 12-9.  Despite the Lions furthering their lead, the Warriors continued to press as Echeverria put the ball into the back of the cage. 

Emmanuel would not relent on their attacks in the fourth quarter as they took a six goal advantage over the Warriors after the first five minutes of play.  The Warriors continued to fight as Kelsey Hawkins got the ball over to Tabitha Beecher who put the ball into the cage to put Southern Wesleyan down 16-11.  Justine Dorelas scored off a free position shot to put the Lions back ahead by six.  Back-to-back goals by Mickaela Davis and Anna Gill allowed Emmanuel to take a 19-11 goal lead.  The Warriors continued to press as Tabitha Beecher scored her seventh goal of the evening.  Emmanuel went on to win the game in a 20-12 final score.
 

 
What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on March 31 as they host the Webber International Warriors at 6 p.m.  They will then travel to Wilson, NC to take on the Barton Bulldogs on April 2 at noon.  The Warriors will return to Childs Field on April 9 to host the Belmont Abbey Crusaders.