DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University women's lacrosse fell short 22-17 in a conference match with Eastern Mennonite University on Saturday. 

Eastern Mennonite (5-8, 3-3 ODAC) opened up an early 4-0 lead over Averett (3-3, 2-3 ODAC) before senior Faith Bowlin scored her first goal of the day off of a free-position shot with over nine minutes left in the first quarter, securing her 30th goal of the season. 

Not even a minute later, junior Lisanne Guiaux put a shot into the back of the net, with the help of junior Gianna Minafo. 

The Cougars were able to score six more goals in the first half to bring the score 12-8 going into halftime to get within four goals of the Royals. 

Eastern Mennonite continued to find the net, extending its lead in the second half, before Bowlin put Averett back on the board. 

Goals by Bowlin, senior Porsha Davis, Minafo, senior Celia de Diego, and Guiaux kept the Cougars within five goals, before the Royals ultimately took the match, evening out their conference record.  

Bowlin lead the Cougars' offense with nine goals, while Minafo had three assists. 

Sophomore Emma Lekander, Guiaux, and de Diego each had three ground balls. Bowlin recorded three caused turnovers, while Guiaux and de Diego had two a piece. 

Junior Caitlin Alperstein made 10 saves in the net, while fellow keeper, sophomore Kylie McWhorter, had one. 

Averett travels to Lynchburg, Virginia, on Wednesday for a conference match against the University of Lynchburg at 5 p.m.