NEWBERRY, S.C. - - A string of four late goals helped secure a 19-16 victory for the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team at Newberry on Wednesday at Setzler Field.
The Wildcats (2-3) scored six straight goals in the first half to take an 8-2 lead, but it was four straight goals late in the second half that helped lead the Wildcats to the nonconference victory in South Carolina.
The teams traded the first four goals of the contest before Marisa Parkers started a 6-0 run for the Wildcats with 19:42 left in the first half. Lashay Ross, Brooke Siebert, and Delaney Steele all scored in the run for the Wildcats, with Brooke Siebert capping the run with a man-advantage goal with 13:27 left in the half to give the Wildcats an 8-2 lead.
Newberry got to within 9-5 but the Wildcats answered with three straight goals, two coming from Lashay Ross, to regain a 12-6 lead. Newberry finished the first half with the final three goals, closing the gap to 12-9 heading into the break.
Maddie Day scored her second goal of the day with 21:49 left to give the Wildcats a 15-10 lead, but Newberry retaliated with four straight goals to close the gap to within 15-14 with 14:29 remaining in regulation.
Marisa Parker ended the Newberry run with a goal of her own, sparking a 4-0 run for the Wildcats to regain control and take the victory. Ross scored two of the four goals in the run, capped by Maddie Day's third goal of the day to take a 19-14 lead with 9:07 to play.
Lashay Ross led the Wildcats with six goals, 11 ground balls and seven draw controls on Wednesday, adding five caused turnovers. Delaney Steele scored two goals, but dished out a team high five assists at Newberry. Marisa Parker, Maddie Day, and Brooke Siebert all scored three goals while adding one assist in the victory.
Brooke Siebert also caused five turnovers in the win while also picking up eight ground balls and three draw controls. Maris Allen added three draw controls for the Wildcats.
After the first five games on the road, the Wildcats make their 2019 home debut on Saturday as they host Queens College at the WU Athletics Complex. The opening draw is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.