HobbsDailyReport.com
WINGATE – Katie Wardle’s six goals on Sunday sparked second-seeded Queens as it beat top-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne University 13-9 to capture the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) tournament title in women’s lacrosse.
Junior Gabby Sousa had four goals for the Bears (9-9) but it wasn’t enough to hold off Queens (11-8) as the Royals won the tournament for the fifth straight season.
Sophomore attacker Cathleen Gaffney added three scores and two assists doe LRU.
Wingate took a 12-5 lead with 15 minutes left to play before the Bears rallied with four straight goals but then couldn’t get any closer.
Queens’ Chase Brokaw earned a win in goal after stopping four shots while LRU senior Ines Flueck, the league player of the year, suffered a loss despite 14 saves.
Sousa increased her school single-season record for goals to 63 while Gaffney now has a school record and league-leading 40 assists.
Sousa, Flueck, junior midfielder Rachel Elmore and senior defender Emily Kessler all earned league all-tournament honors for the Bears.
The Bears will next play on Saturday at 7 p.m. at home, facing ninth-ranked Limestone in a regular-season finale.
- Reported by LRU Sports Information