HPU Women’s Lacrosse Wins Second Big South Title, Advances To NCAA’s

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women’s lacrosse team defeated Davidson College in the Big South Championship game for a second consecutive season on Sunday. The Panthers topped the Wildcats 11-6 behind a six-goal performance by Big South Tournament MVP, Alec Perry. With the win, HPU earns the Big South Conference’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid.

The Panthers used a six-goal second half while limiting Davidson to just two scores after the break to distance themselves from the Wildcats. Perry posted a career-high and matched the HPU single-game record with six goals while leading the Panthers offense in the championship game. Seniors Patricia Bigelow, Cissy Woodyardand Jasmine Jordan joined Perry on the All-Tournament team.

Davidson’s Emily Rademacher staked the Wildcats to an early two goal lead within the first six minutes of the game. Perry scored her first of the day to spark a 3-0 comeback for the Panthers including a goal by Christie Dougherty before Perry scored another unassisted to give HPU it’s first lead of the day, 3-2. The Wildcats’ Erin Douherty tied the game off a feed from Liz Edwards before High Point senior attacker Mackenzie Carroll foundSara Kuhlman with a pass to put the Panthers back up one, 4-3.

Both team’s played lock down defense the next 11 minutes to keep the Panthers up 4-3 before Perry completed a first half hat trick to push HPU’s lead back to two, 5-4 with 1:39 remaining. Davidson’s Emma Sissman notched her team-leading 49th goal with six seconds remaining in the half to cut the Wildcats’ deficit to one, 6-5.

Perry led HPU’s early second half charge scoring twice within the first two minutes of the second frame to give HPU a 7-4 lead. The Panthers added two more in the next six minutes with one by Carroll and one by Gardner to put High Point up 9-5.

Davidson tried to cut the deficit with a goal by freshman Annie Brockett but Perry countered for the Panthers with her sixth score of the day before Gardner tacked on her second to put give HPU it’s biggest lead of the day 11-5. Sissman capped the game’s scoring with her second of the day off a pass from attacker Emily Cook to bring the final score to 11-6.

HPU outshot Davidson 28-9 in the contest and held an 18-12 advantage in ground balls while winning 11 of 19 draw controls. Davidson goalkeeper Katie Boyle made 11 saves in the cage for the Wildcats while junior Julia Burns picked up the win for HPU stopping three Wildcats’ shots.

HPU moves to 14-5 on the year, which is one win shy of matching the school record for a single-season. Davidson finishes it’s season with a 12-7 mark. High Point will advance to the NCAA Tournament, which begins May 9th. The Panthers will find out who they play tonight at 9 p.m. The NCAA Tournament field will be announced on NCAA.com.