NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Two fourth-quarter goals and a clutch final defensive stand helped the Coastal Carolina women's lacrosse team rally for an 8–7 non-conference victory over Vanderbilt on Wednesday morning at FirstBank Stadium.
With the win, the Chanticleers improved to 6–2 overall, while Vanderbilt dropped to 3–5.
After trailing 7–6 late in the third quarter, Coastal Carolina outscored the Commodores 2–0 in the final period.
Megan Hummel tied the game at 7–7 with 11:19 remaining in the fourth quarter before
Alyson Mascolo delivered the game-winner at the 6:46 mark to put the Chanticleers ahead for good.
Vanderbilt had one final opportunity in the closing seconds, but Coastal Carolina goalkeeper
Charlotte Sadler made a save with three seconds remaining to preserve the one-goal victory.
Hummel led the Chanticleers offensively with two goals, including the tying score in the fourth quarter. Mascolo finished with one goal and one assist, while
Evelyn Kitchin,
Alexandra Horn,
Gabrielle Beaudet,
Sophie Kingsborough, and Nikki Seven each added a goal.
Sadler anchored the Coastal defense, playing all 60 minutes and recording 13 saves while facing 31 shots.
Coastal Carolina opened the scoring early when Hummel converted a free-position opportunity at the 10:30 mark of the first quarter. Kitchin extended the lead with a goal two minutes later before Vanderbilt answered with a pair of goals to tie the game at 2–2.
Horn restored the Coastal advantage late in the first quarter with a goal off an assist from Mascolo to give the Chanticleers a 3–2 lead after one period.
Vanderbilt rallied in the second quarter, scoring twice to take a 4–3 halftime lead.
The Chanticleers responded in the third period as Beaudet and Kingsborough scored on man-up opportunities before Seven added another goal to give Coastal Carolina a 6–4 advantage. The Commodores countered with three late goals in the quarter to regain the lead at 7–6 entering the fourth.
Coastal Carolina controlled the final quarter defensively and capitalized on its chances, tying the game on Hummel's second goal before Mascolo netted the eventual game-winner midway through the period.
The Chanticleers finished with 18 shots, including 16 on goal, and capitalized on three man-up opportunities.
Coastal Carolina opens Atlantic Sun play next week with a pair of road games. The Chants will be at Jacksonville on Thursday, March 19, then travel to Stetson on Saturday, March 21.
