Final Stats

JACKSONVILLE - Sara Nolan tallied five goals and Sophie Crowther had a hat trick to lead Coastal Carolina to a 13-8 victory over Niagara at D.B. Milne Field Tuesday afternoon.

Haley Alexander added two goals for the Chanticleers, who notched their first victory after starting the season with back-to-back losses. With the victory, Coastal Carolina improved to 1-2 on the season while the Purple Eagles slid to 1-3.

Tuesday's game was the first ever meeting between Niagara and Coastal Carolina, but there wasn't much of a feeling out process at the start of the contest. The Chanticleers opened a 7-5 halftime lead, off a balanced scoring effort that included goals from Courtney Genovese, Charlotte O'Leary, Sophie Crowther, Maggie Carr, Nolan and Alexander.

Niagara scored two quick goals after the break to tie the contest at 7-all, but Sara Nolan put Coastal back on top with a score with 14:36 left in regulation. The Chanticleers kept the pressure on, scoring five more times before time expired to take home the victory.

Coastal Carolina had the advantage, 8-4, in ground balls. Niagara outshot Coastal, 24-22, but the deciding factor may have been the Chanticleers' edge in draw controls, 15-7. Caroline Crump led Niagara with four goals, and Taylor Wolf chipped in with two scores for the Purple Eagles.

Jenna Stoved tallied nine saves for Coastal while Andrea Francisco made five saves in the losing effort. Coastal Carolina's next game is at home against Mercer on Friday, March 11 at 4 p.m.