DANVILLE, Va.  — Averett University women's lacrosse started the game off on the right foot once again, before ultimately surrendering the lead and coming up short against visiting Wittenberg University.
For the second time in as many games Averett (0-2, 0-0 ODAC) tallied the opening goal of the match. Just under a minute into the first quarter of action, an awkward ball off the stick of freshman
Gracie Kean ricocheted around the crease and into the back of the net, putting the Cougars ahead 1-0 at the 14:03 mark. Wittenberg (3-0) roared back quickly, as the Tigers closed out the first quarter on a 6-0 run.
The game's second quarter slowed down and became a defensive display as the rain started to come down at Campbell Stadium. Sophomore
Gianna Minafo broke the stalemate by scoring a goal, assisted by junior
Faith Bowlin, for Averett with 5:28 left to play in the first half. The Cougars entered the halftime break trailing 6-2.
The third quarter opened up with a goal for Wittenberg, before the Cougars rallied for two goals of their own. Freshman
Ava Soucek got on the board first with 9:52 on the clock, and Bowlin followed suit with a goal at the 5:40 mark. Averett headed into the final 15 minutes down 10-4.
Senior
Irenia Torre fired the opening shot of the final frame, as she netted an early goal to draw the Cougars closer with 13:18 left to play. Averett's comeback effort fell short there, however, as Wittenberg opened its lead up to 14-5 before two late scores for the Cougars, coming from sophomore
Emma Miller and again from Bowlin, brought the game to a close at 15-7 in favor of the visitors.
Averett hits the road for the first time in 2024 for its next action, as the Cougars will face off against Warren Wilson College at 1 p.m. Saturday.
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