BRADENTON, Fla. - Despite a hat trick by senior Kathryn Merrick and holding a 24-22 shot advantage, the Stevenson women's lacrosse team saw its four-game win streak snapped as the Mustangs fell to Clarkson, 12-8, Tuesday evening at G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton, Florida.
The Mustangs (4-4), who are receiving votes in this week's IWLCA Division III Coaches Poll, have given up an average of 12.3 goals in their losses compared to just 7.8 in their wins. Offensively, the team is scoring 10.8 in wins versus 7.8 in losses.
Led by two goals by Merrick, Stevenson jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first 5:25 but the Golden Knights (4-1) scored six-straight goals, including a natural hat trick by Paige Fayette, over a 16:47 span to take a 6-3 lead, one they would not relinquish.
Merrick scored her third goal of the game with 11 seconds remaining in the opening half on a free-position shot to cut the Mustangs deficit to three at the break. Stevenson totaled seven turnovers in the opening period and converted on just 1-of-4 free position shots.
The Mustangs scored two of the first three goals, on tallies by freshman Hollie Larrimore and sophomore Carli Bafford, to cut the deficit to just one, 7-6 with 20:58 remaining.
Trailing by two, sophomore Tori Bruno scored on a free-position shot to cut the deficit back to one but Stevenson was held scoreless for the final 12:31 as Clarkson scored three-straight to end the game.
Bruno also added three draw controls, two caused turnovers and two ground balls.
Fayette led the Golden Knights with four goals while Ashley Flick added three. Christine Wright tallied one goal and three assists for Clarkson.
Stevenson returns to action Sunday, March 22 when the Mustangs host a non-conference contest versus Union (N.Y.). Opening draw is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
