LAKELAND, Fla. — #2/#4 Florida Southern women's lacrosse (6-1), cruised to a commanding 16-3 win over Lander University (2-4) on Thursday at Berend Field for Senior Day. The Moccasins broke the game wide open with a seven-goal second quarter.

 As part of the pre-game senior day ceremony, the Moccasins recognized the careers of Danielle Mojsej, Casey Falduto, Rebekah Bargeron, Lindsey Tolliver, Harper Muma, and Mia Williams for their contributions to the program. 

12 different goal scorers found the stat sheet, with Kolby Cohen being a standout for the Mocs. She led the charge with two goals and two assists, adding four draw controls, two caused turnovers, and one groundball. Kelsey Bennett was sharp, netting two goals, including the game-winner. Jenna Vetter was instrumental, scoring twice from free positions, while Williams made her mark with two goals, including a power play goal, keeping the pressure on Lander throughout. Bargeron posted a season-high six saves to earn the win. 

Florida Southern set the tone early, thanks to draw controls by Brayden Cannelli and Cohen. On this special senior day, where the team honored its six seniors, Williams who kicked off the scoring with a free position goal at 13:53, her first of the season. Lander briefly tied it up with a goal from Caroline Nicholson, assisted by Sophie Warren, but Florida Southern pulled ahead with Riley Rivera's free position goal at 3:53. Bennett added two more, the second assisted by Kassidy Miller, closing the quarter at 4-1. Florida Southern's relentless draw controls fueled their offensive drive.

In the second quarter, the Mocs capitalized on Bearcats' mistakes, extending their lead. Baillie Pinder netted her fifth of the season with Cohen assisting at 12:59. Free position goals from Mojsej and Cohen pushed Florida Southern further ahead to 8-1. Audrey Cannelli added her first of the season at 8:26, prompting a Lander timeout. The Mocs continued their scoring spree with contributions from Emily Kuczynski, Maycie Neubauer, and Grace Curtin, wrapping up the half with an 11-1 advantage.

Florida Southern kept the pressure on in the third quarter. Vetter scored her 14th of the season on a free position shot at 13:38. Defensively, the Mocs were rock solid, with senior Bargeron making crucial saves, including two on free position shots by Elisha Lowes. Lander couldn't find the back of the net, leaving the Mocs comfortably ahead 12-1 by the end of the quarter.

Lander opened the fourth quarter with a man-up goal by Morgan Hill at 13:25, with an assist from Sophie Warren. Hill struck again at 8:50, but Florida Southern answered with a goal from Louise Aloi at 6:16, assisted by Cohen. Lauren LaGrega made her first career appearance in goal in the final minutes of the game. Vetter and Cohen each added free position goals, and Williams, one of the celebrated seniors, capped off the scoring with a man-up goal at 0:26, assisted by Rivera, sealing a decisive 16-3 win for the Moccasins.

Up next, Florida Southern will take on Lenoir-Rhyne University, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the 2016 National Championship team. The game is set for Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m. at Berend Field in Lakeland, Florida. Read Full Article