WINGATE, N.C. — In a thrilling showdown at Irwin Belk Stadium, No. 3 Florida Southern women's lacrosse mounted a late comeback over No. 16 Wingate University, claiming an 11-10 victory on Sunday. The Moccasins' power play proved pivotal, with two goals netted on the player-up advantage.
Wingate jumped out to an early lead, with Stacy Glover striking at 13:59 thanks to an assist from Amelia Benner. Bree Solero then struck twice, at 13:15 and 12:16, both times assisted by Lauryn Knutson, pushing Wingate ahead 4-0. Florida Southern answered with a goal from
Louise Aloi in her Moccasin debut at 6:55, assisted by
Danielle Mojsej, and another unassisted strike from Aloi at 6:12.
Lindsey Tolliver further closed the gap with a player-up goal at 1:35, assisted by
Kelsey Bennett, ending the quarter just one goal down, 4-3.
The second quarter saw Wingate extend their lead once more, as Glover, assisted by Benner, scored at 11:42. The Bulldogs capitalized on a free position shot with Benner scoring at 8:35. Florida Southern kept pace with two goals: Aloi in a player-up situation at 4:57, assisted by
Hanna Watson, and
Baillie Pinder at 1:15. Wingate, however, maintained their edge with Deirdre Jones scoring at 1:49, closing the half with a 7-5 lead.
The third quarter began with
Rebekah Bargeron in goal for the Moccasins. Despite an early goal by Wingate's Julia Garvin at 12:35, Bargeron made pivotal back-to-back saves midway through the frame, keeping the Mocs within striking distance. Florida Southern responded fiercely, with Tolliver finding the net at 11:00. Despite Wingate's defensive efforts, Aloi struck again at 3:27, bringing the Moccasins within one as the quarter closed with Wingate narrowly ahead, 8-7.
Florida Southern roared into the fourth quarter, with
Kolby Cohen scoring at 14:34, followed swiftly by Pinder, assisted by Aloi, at 13:52, taking a 10-8 lead. Wingate fought back, leveling the score with goals from Garvin at 12:16 and Madison Slayton at 10:53. A clutch save from Bargeron at 6:17 kept Florida Southern in the game.
Kassidy Miller capitalized on a free position at 4:15 to knot the game at 10 apiece. In the waning minutes of regulation, Cohen sealed the victory with a goal at 1:03. Up by one with just over a minute to go, the Mocs won the ensuing draw, with
Audrey Cannelli running out the clock to conclude the game, 11-10.
The Moccasins continue to show their mettle, with Cohen leading the charge with two goals, including the game winner, and Aloi contributing four goals and an assist. Tolliver and Pinder each added two goals, underscoring the team's balanced and potent attack.
Leanna Rivera made her collegiate debut, grabbing six draw controls, followed by
Audrey Cannelli with four.
Florida Southern, ranked No. 3 nationally, leads off the season with a 1-0 record. Next up, they face Lynn University at Berend Field in Lakeland, Florida, on Friday, Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. for their Team Trippy game.
