FERRUM, Va. — The Averett University women's lacrosse team fell 15-10 to Ferrum College in a close conference contest Tuesday night at W.B. Adams Stadium.
 
Averett (1-2, 1-1 USA South) led early following goals within the first five minutes of the game from freshmen Shayla Johnson and Elizabeth Peasley. Ferrum (2-1, 1-1 USA South) responded with two goals to make to tie it Peasley answered with her second goal to push the Cougars in front, followed by the first of three goals by senior Alixis Roccia.
 
Ferrum responded with three goals to take the lead until Averett tied it, 5-5, on freshman Lindsey Bateman's first career goal. Peasley netted her third goal of the game moments later to put the Cougars ahead 6-5.
 
Ferrum, however, tacked on four consecutive goals to surge ahead 9-6 late in the half. Roccia added a goal just before the break to pull Averett within two at halftime.
 
The Panthers added three goals in the start of the second period to go ahead 12-7. Roccia and freshman Gabbie Porter each scored — Porter twice — to keep the Cougars close, but they couldn't overcome the deficit late after Ferrum added three more goals to win by five.
 
Peasley and Roccia led the Cougars with each recording a hat trick. Porter finished with two goals and an assist. Johnson also had an assist. Freshmen Xasia Lewis and Breanne Sawall each had four ground balls, with Sawall making seven saves in goa.
 
The Cougars return home on Saturday to face Piedmont College in conference play at 12 p.m.