CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina women's lacrosse team (5-4, 0-0 ASUN) defeated the High Point Panthers (4-4, 0-0 Big South) today in a come from behind, 17-12 victory at Brooks Stadium.
Today's win moves Coastal's overall record to 5-4 on the season. CCU has now won the first two games of its current four-game homestand, and four of its last five outings.
The Chants got behind early after High Point jumped out to an early 2-0 lead inside of the opening eight minutes of play with goals from Esprit Cha and Jordan Miles. Coastal would equalize less than three minutes later with two scores from leading goalscorer Sydney McClure, giving her a total of 21 for the season. The Panthers closed out the first quarter by putting two more goals on the board, leading 4-2 heading into the second frame.
The Chants outscored High Point 5-2 in the second 15 minutes, despite conceding twice in the quarter's first two minutes. After CCU found themselves in a 6-2 deficit, they proceeded to score seven unanswered stretching to the 6:07 mark of the third quarter. Coastal would take a 7-6 advantage into halftime with five different Chants getting on the scoresheet in the second quarter.
CCU continued their run into the third period, outscoring the Panthers 7-1 after the halftime break. During that scoring run, McClure completed her hat-trick, while Avery McIlwaine and Alyson Mascolo each secured a brace. The Chants claimed their largest lead of the afternoon at the end of the quarter, leading 14-7 going into the fourth.
High Point made a run during the early stages of the fourth quarter to cut the home lead to two with just over seven minutes to play in regulation. Senior midfielder Monica Manley ended High Point's 5-0 scoring run with three goals in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter, giving the Chants their fifth win of the 2024 season.
Coastal finished with 17 goals on 39 total attempts, 28 on frame, along with four goals coming off free position attempts. Manley led CCU on the scoresheet with four, giving her 19 for the season through nine games. Along with McClure's hat-trick and a brace from both McIlwaine and Mascolo, the Chants also received goal contributions from Brigid Cardillo, Maddie Bates, Abi George, Evelyn Kitchin, Devin Rybacki and Gabrielle Beaudet.
Defensively, CCU turned the Panthers over 16 times to go with 12 ground balls and 17 total draw controls. Goalkeeper Charlotte Sadler was forced to make nine saves in all 60 minutes of play, moving her season total to 80.
The Chants are back at home on Wednesday, Mar. 27 at 6 P.M. ET at Brooks Stadium, as they take on Campbell in their final matchup prior to the start of ASUN Conference play on Mar. 30 at home against Lindenwood.
For complete coverage of CCU women's lacrosse, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWLAX (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com
