Final Stats

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Maggie Carr notched a hat trick and Sophie Crowther scored two goals in Coastal Carolina's 6-5 victory over Cincinnati at Sheakley Athletics Center Friday afternoon.

Haley Alexander (one goal) and Madeline Bromley (two assists) were also key contributors on offense for the Chanticleers (4-2), who are riding a four-game win streak after opening the season with back-to-back losses.

With the defeat, Cincinnati slips to 4-5. The Chants are now 2-2 all-time against the Bearcats.

The first half was a defensive battle from both sides, with neither team breaking through until Carr scored to snap the scoreless tie with 11:52 left in the opening stanza. The Chants jumped out to a 3-0 lead shortly after, with Alexander finding the back of the net with 7:52 to go in the first and Crowther connecting on a free-position shot in the waning minutes of the opening frame.

Junior goalkeeper Jenna Stover and Coastal's defensive unit kept the Bearcats off the board for the first 27 minutes of play. Cincinnati finally got its offense rolling with a goal from Megan Bell with 2:07 left in the opening half, and she found the back of the net again 14 seconds later to cut Coastal's lead to 3-2 at the midway mark.

Coastal's offense kept the pressure on after action resumed, as Crowther scored her second of the game 5:56 into the second half, putting the Chants ahead, 4-2.

Defensively, Stover, who headed into the game ranked No. 4 in the country in NCAA D-1 in save percentage (.548), kept the Bearcats off the board in the second half until Bell scored with 15:17 left.

The Chants responded quickly, as Carr tacked on her second goal of the game with 14:05 remaining. She scored again less than three minutes later to put Coastal on top, 6-3.

Cincinnati kept fighting, as Bell and Sarah Del Bene delivered back-to-back goals to cut the deficit to 6-5 with less than 10 minutes left. The Bearcats had possession in the final minute of play, but were unable to get off a quality shot.

Cincinnati had the advantage with 16 ground balls to 13, and the Bearcats also outshot Coastal, 21-12. Additionally, Cincinnati had the edge in draw controls, 7-6. Stover (eight saves) and Coastal's defense proved to be the difference-maker.

The Bearcats were led by Bell, who tallied a game-high five points on four goals. Cincinnati's Meg Gulmi had three saves in the loss.

Coastal's road swing continues March 20 with a 12:00 p.m. non-conference contest at Louisville, followed by a conference game at High Point on March 26 at 1:00 p.m.