Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan fell in non-conference action to the University of Charleston Golden Eagles in a 24-5 final score on Monday evening.
The Warriors took 16 shots with 11 being on goal against the Golden Eagles. Lauryn Esposito led the team with eight shots and seven on goal. Behind her Taylor Byrd had two shots on goal. Esposito had three goals. Both Byrd and Fianna Steves had solo goals. Mack Moreau and Byrd each had assists.
Southern Wesleyan totaled 14 ground balls with Fianna Steves and Mack Moreau each having three. Moreau continued to lead the team as she caused three turnovers. Steves had six draw controls. Kelsee McKay started in the cage and had five saves.
Game Vitals
Final: University of Charleston 24, Southern Wesleyan 5
Records: University of Charleston (2-2) Southern Wesleyan (0-5)
How It Happened
Fianna Steves won the first draw of the game for the Warriors. Lauryn Esposito collected the ball and took a shot on the cage, but Megan Liston prevented the Warriors from taking the early lead. University of Charleston countered as Hayden Slinkard, Nicolette Lospitalie and Madison Partridge each scored to give the Golden Eagles a 3-0 goal advantage. The Golden Eagles continued to push ahead, but the Warriors challenged right back as Aleiza Manns won the draw control. Mack Moreau passed the ball over to Fianna Steves. Steves sent the ball into the cage to put the Warriors down 5-1 to the Golden Eagles. However, the Golden Eagles would not relent as they scored three more times before Lauryn Esposito sent the ball into the cage.
Southern Wesleyan kicked off the scoring in the second quarter as Taylor Byrd passed the ball over to Lauryn Esposito. Esposito put the ball into the back of the cage. However, a goal by Ella Russano allowed the Golden Eagles to take a seven goal lead over the Warriors. They continued to attack the cage with shots by Darby Stolz. The Warriors blocked the first attack by Stolz, but the second one was able to find the back of the cage. Esposito challenged Nicolette Lospitalie and knocked the ball out of her stick. She then collected the ground ball and took the ball all the way to the cage for the fourth goal of the game for the Warriors. The Golden Eagles led the game 15-4 at halftime.
University of Charleston maintained their attacks in the third quarter with shots by Hayden Slinkard. Their attacks paid off as Darby Stolz and Hannah Calvert each found the back of the cage. A foul in the eight meter allowed Mack Moreau to take a shot on the goal, but Rachel Pongonis stood strong in the back of the cage to keep the Warriors from cutting into their lead. Lauryn Esposito took a shot on the goal, but once again Pongonis saved the ball from reaching the cage.
The Golden Eagles would not relent their attacks as Molly Bunker and Hayden Slinkard each scored. A foul in the eight meter allowed Taylor Byrd to take a free position shot, but Rachel Pongonis saved the attack. The Warriors pushed on as a second foul in the eight meter allowed Byrd to take another free position attempt. This time Byrd found the back of the cage to score the fifth goal of the game of the Warriors. Southern Wesleyan pushed on with shots by Aleiza Manns and Lexi Richardson, but each of their attacks were thwarted by the Golden Eagles. However, University of Charleston went on to win the game in a 24-5 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on March 2 as they host the Tiffin Dragons. They will then travel to Petersburg, VA to take on the Virginia State Trojans. The Warriors will resume Conference Carolinas action on March 9 as they travel up to Murfreesboro, NC to take on the Chowan Hawks.
