FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — No. 6 seed Averett University women's lacrosse was eliminated with 20-6 loss to No. 3 seed Methodist University in the USA South Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday afternoon.

Methodist (9-7) jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first three minutes before Averett (10-8) settled in to get two consecutive goals. Freshman Elizabeth Peasley got the Cougars on the scoreboard at the 22:57 mark of the first half. Sophomore Abby Taylor followed with a goal five minutes later to trim the Monarchs' lead to 5-2.

However, Methodist began to pull away by scoring seven consecutive goals to go up 12-2. After Averett senior Alixis Roccia snapped that Monarchs' scoring streak with a goal with 5:32 left in the period. Methodist tacked on two more goals before halftime to take a 14-3 advantage into the break.

Taylor netted a second goal on an assist from freshman Haley Boardway to open the second half for Averett, but Methodist continued to find ways to score and keep a cushion. 

The Cougars added second-half goals by Roccia and freshman Rachel Hale.

Averett finished a successful first season in the rebirth of the program as the Cougars set single-season program records for overall wins and conference victories. Averett also set a number of individual records, as well, in the first season of women's lacrosse since 2007.

Methodist advanced to Friday's USA South semifinals in LaGrange.