Cleveland, GA – Southern Wesleyan came back from trailing at halftime to take down the Truett-McConnell Bears in a 16-11 final score.
The Warriors picked up 39 shots with 32 being on target in the victory over the Bears. Mack Moreau and Lexi Richardson each had seven shots on goal. They were followed by Fianna Steves and Ella McCowen who each had five shots on goal. Moreau and Richardson led the team with four goals scored. Ella McCowen had three goals in the game, and five Warriors picked up solo goals. McCowen and Abbey Kovalcik each had assists.
Southern Wesleyan won 13 of the draw controls in the game. Mack Moreau won six draws and Fianna Steves won five. Abbey Kovalcik and Steves each caused turnovers. Steves picked up three ground balls. Hannon Graybeal, Caroline Lark and Ava Lombardi each spent time in the cage for the Warriors.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 16, Truett-McConnell 11
Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-8) Truett-McConnell (1-6)
How It Happened
Truett-McConnell went on the attack early, but Aisley Whipple's shot on the cage hit off the cross bar to prevent the Bears from scoring first. The Warriors cleared the ball down the field moments later and Aleiza Manns was able to get the ball into the back of the cage to give Southern Wesleyan the early lead. The Bears answered off a free position goal by Marlo McBrayer. Truett-McConnell took the lead off another goal by McBrayer. Southern Wesleyan answered as the Warriors caused the Bears to turn the ball over. Lexi Richardson picked up the ball and took it all the way to the cage to score her first goal of the afternoon. The Bears regained the lead shortly afterwards, but back-to-back goals by Richardson and Ella McCowen put the Warriors back on top with just over five minutes left on the clock. Truett-McConnell scored once more to tie the game up by the end of the first quarter.
The Bears kicked off the second quarter with a goal by Maggie Dowd to put them ahead 5-4. Marlo McBrayer wove around the defense and flipped the ball into the cage to extend on Truett-McConnell's lead. The Warriors challenged right back as Fianna Steves won the draw and got the ball over to Lexi Richardson who got past the defense to score once again. The Warriors continued to attack the cage as Hayley Billings, Mack Moreau, Abbey Kovalcik and Aleiza Manns each took shots on the cage, but each of their attacks were thwarted by Sally Marcum and the Bears' defense. Fianna Steves wove past the defense and sent the ball into the back of the cage to allow the Warriors to tie the game up once again. The Bears countered as Shelby Nail sent back-to-back shots toward the cage, but Ava Lombardi and the Warriors defense were able to thwart each of Truett-McConnell's attacks on the cage. In the final seconds of the second quarter, the Bears scored off a shot by Maddie Donnelly to give them a 7-6 goal lead at halftime.
Southern Wesleyan came out of the halftime break strong. Mack Moreau took a shot on the cage, but Sally Marcum prevented her attack from meeting the back of the net. However, shortly afterwards, a foul in the eight meter allowed Abbey Kovalcik to take a free position shot. Kovalcik sent the ball into the back of the cage to tie the game up. Truett-McConnell answered as Marlo McBrayer scored once again. Their lead was short lived as Mack Moreau won the next draw and got the ball down the field to Lexi Richardson. Richardson sent the ball into the cage for her fourth goal of the afternoon. Fianna Steves sent the ball toward the cage, but, once again, Sally Marcum prevented the Warriors' from regaining the lead. The Warriors pushed on as Moreau collected the ball off a rebounded shot and sent it past Marcum into the cage to give Southern Wesleyan a 9-8 goal lead. Fianna Steves caused McBrayer to turn the ball over and then cleared the ball down the field to Aleiza Manns. Manns got the ball over to Moreau who drilled the ball into the back of the cage to extend the Warriors lead to 10-8. With just under two minutes left on the clock, Hayley Billings was able to get the ball over to Alexa Simpson. Simpson took a couple steps and got the ball into the cage for her first goal of the evening.
Truett-McConnell fought back as Marlo McBrayer scored once again to put the Bears down 11-9. However, the Warriors' answered as Abbey Kovalcik passed the ball inside the eight meter to Maree Hernandez. Hernandez sent a rocket into the cage to allow the Warriors to regain their three goal lead. Southern Wesleyan would not back down as Ella McCowen scored the Warriors thirteenth goal of the evening. McBrayer went on the attack once again, but the Warriors' defense blocked her attack from landing in the cage. Fianna Steves and Lexi Richardson each sent shots to the cage, but Sally Marcum and the Bears would not let the Warriors extend on their lead. A foul in the eight meter allowed Shelby Nail to take a free position shot. Nail got the ball into the cage to put the Bears back within three. Truett-McConnell pressed on as Nail scored once again. Southern Wesleyan won the draw seconds later and Ella McCowen was able to get the ball up to Mack Moreau. Moreau sent the ball into the cage for her third goal of the half. The Warriors were not done as Moreau won the next draw and took the ball all the way to the cage to score once again. A foul in the eight meter allowed Ella McCowen to take a free position shot. McCowen scored once again to extend on the Warriors' lead. Southern Wesleyan went on to win the game in a 16-11 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will return to Central, SC as they host the Chowan Hawks on March 15 at 1pm at the Joe R Gilbert Track & Field Complex. The Warriors will recognize their seniors prior to the game. They will then travel to Young Harris, GA on March 26 to take on the Young Harris Mountain Lions.
