CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina women's lacrosse team (7-4, 1-0 ASUN) opened ASUN Conference play today with a 15-13 win over the Lindenwood Lions (9-2, 0-1 ASUN) on senior day at Brooks Stadium.
Today's win over ASUN preseason favorite Lindenwood gives the Chants their seventh win of the season, extending their current winning streak to four. CCU has now won six of their last seven outings and now completes the four-game homestand with a perfect 4-0 record.
Leading scorer Sydney McClure opened the scoring with her 23rd goal of the season, giving Coastal the early 1-0 lead over the Lions. Both sides would trade the following seven goals with the score evening at four heading into the second period.
CCU and Lindenwood once again could not be seperated in the second quarter with both teams matching the other's six goals, resulting in a 10-10 deadlock at halftime. Junior attacker Alyson Mascolo completed her hat-trick at the 10:34 mark of the second quarter, her first three-goal game of 2024. Evelyn Kitchin, Brigid Cardillo, Monica Manley and McClure would also get on the scoresheet prior to the halftime break, with Manley joining McClure as the two Chants with 20+ goals for the season.
The second half opened with another goal from Manley, and freshman Gabrielle Beaudet extended the Coastal lead to 12-10 midway through the third quarter. The Lions would respond with a goal of their own less than a minute later, cutting the CCU lead to one heading into the final 15 minutes of play.
Mascolo scored her fourth goal of the afternoon to open the scoring in the fourth quarter, as the Chants would outscore Lindenwood 3-2 in the final frame. Seniors Avery McIlwaine and Avery Snyder broke the 13-13 scoreline in the late stages of the game, giving Coastal the crucial 15-13, conference opening win over Lindenwood.
Despite being outshot by the Lions, the Chants capped off the win with 15 goals on 27 total attempts, 19 on frame, and three goals coming off free position attempts. Mascolo led CCU on the scoresheet with four goals. Kitchin, McIlwaine, McClure and Manley each secured a brace, while Cardillo, Snyder and Beaudet each recorded one goal contribution.
On the defensive side, Coastal turned the Lions over 12 times, forcing six, and secured 14 ground balls and 13 draw controls. Goalkeeper Charlotte Sadler was forced into four saves on 17 total chances from Lindenwood. Senior Sydney Tornetta scooped up a season-high six ground balls and four draw controls.
Following the big win over Lindenwood, the Chants will continue ASUN Conference play against preseason No. 2 Liberty (4-7, 1-0 ASUN) on Thursday, Apr. 4 at the Liberty Lacrosse Field in Lynchburg, Va.
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
