HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — #4/#1 Florida Southern women's lacrosse (4-0) clinched a thrilling 9-8 victory over the #1/#5 University of Indianapolis (1-1) on Saturday at John Hunt Park. The Moccasins showcased a well-rounded offense, highlighted by three unassisted goals, while Indianapolis kept the contest tight with two player-up scores.
Jenna Vetter spearheaded the Mocs' scoring with two goals on five shots, converting one free position chance.
Kassidy Miller was impactful, contributing two goals and two assists.
Lindsey Tolliver added two goals, including the game-winner, while converting one of her two free position attempts.
Kolby Cohen added to the playmaking with one goal and three assists, while grabbing six draw controls.
Annesley Flint picked up her first career win, with nine saves and eight goals against.
Charlie Laye and
Audrey Canelli made significant contributions to the Mocs defense, each causing three turnovers, while
Isabelle Lucas picked up a team-leading four groundballs.
Indianapolis struck first with Alexa Versaci's goal at 14:22, assisted by Malaena Michielin. They extended the lead with a player-up goal from Michielin at 11:39. The Mocs answered back with Cohen netting one at 6:10, narrowing the score to 3-1. Florida Southern's Miller further closed the gap to 3-2 with a Cohen-assisted goal at 3:35. However, Michielin struck again for Indianapolis with a free position goal at 1:22, ending the quarter with a 4-2 lead for the Greyhounds.
In the second quarter, Indianapolis extended their advantage with a goal by Emily Ghazal at 14:18. Florida Southern answered with Miller scoring at 12:27, assisted by
Baillie Pinder. The Mocs kept up the pressure as
Danielle Mojsej scored at 9:41, to bring the Mocs within one. Tolliver's goal at 6:27, assisted by Cohen, knotted the game at five apiece. Vetter added another at 00:15, assisted by Cohen, gave Florida Southern their first edge of the game, heading into halfime with a 6-5 lead.
Florida Southern widened their lead in the third quarter with two crucial goals, scoring six straight. Vetter, assisted by Miller, scored at 11:57, and later,
Louise Aloi found the net at 5:58, further cementing their lead. Flint was a defensive stalwart, making key saves, including stops against Michielin and Elle Cimini, maintaining an 8-5 lead by the quarter's end.
The fourth quarter saw Indianapolis rally, starting with Olivia Bladon's free position goal at 11:28. Bladon struck again at 9:58, followed by a player-up goal from Sage Da silva, assisted by Michielin, at 8:40. Florida Southern responded with Tolliver's free position goal at 6:00. Despite the pressure, the Moccasins held firm, with Indianapolis outscoring them 3-1 in the quarter, but Florida Southern secured the narrow victory, 8-9, upsetting the top-team according to the IWLCA Coaches Poll.
Looking forward, Florida Southern heads to St. Augustine, Florida, to face Flagler College on Thursday, Feb. 26. The matchup kicks off at 7 p.m. at Flagler Field.
