BALTIMORE, Md. — The Averett University women's lacrosse team dropped a hard-fought 15-8 decision to Goucher College on the road Monday evening in non-conference action. 
 
Goucher (2-2) struck for the first blow on Monday taking a 1-0 advantage following an opening goal at the 28:25 mark of the first half, however freshman Raven Felder evened the game at 1-1 with her first collegiate goal with 19:14 remaining. 
 
The Gophers though rolled off six unanswered goals over the final 17 minutes of the first half to control a 7-1 advantage heading into the break, taking full advantage of their 15 first half shot opportunities. 
 
Averett (0-3) came out of the half looking to cut into Goucher's 7-1 advantage as junior Elizabeth Peasley powered home back-to-back goals in the opening five minutes to pull within 7-3 before the Gophers added a goal to extend their advantage to 8-3. 
 
Sophomore Hannah Mae Ayers answered minutes later off an assist by sophomore Courtney DeLone to pull within 8-4, but the Gophers benefitted from five unanswered scores to extend their lead to 13-4.
 
DeLone ended Gouchers run with a goal off an assist by Ayers, while Peasley recorded a hat trick seconds later with her third score of the game to cut the advantage to 13-6.
 
Peasley added her fourth and fifth goals of the afternoon with time winding down off assists by junior Haley Boardway and Ayers, respectively, ending a Gophers 2-0 scoring run, but the damage had been done in the first half as the Goucher held on for the 15-8 victory. 
 
Peasley finished with a game-high five scores, while Ayers added two assists and tied freshman Taylor Roberts-Dishon with a game-high four ground balls. 
 
Sophomore Emily Eby played well in net for the Cougars collecting nine saves for the game, while the Cougars limited the Gophers to two of six on free position attempts and caused 10 turnovers. 
 
The Cougars are back in action on Tuesday when they conclude their two-game trip to Maryland with a 3:30 p.m. bout against Hood College.