High Point WLAX Falls in NCAA Second Round to No. 1 Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The High Point University women’s lacrosse team’s record-breaking season came to an end Sunday (May 14) after falling at No. 1 Maryland, 21-6, at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex in College Park, Md.

The Panthers (16-4) advanced to the second round after defeating No. 18 Towson, 21-15, on Friday for High Point University’s first NCAA Tournament win. HPU finished the season with multiple single-season team records, including wins (16), points (480), goals (314), goals per game (15.7), assists (166), shots (711), shots on goal (516) and caused turnovers (245).

“I can’t say enough about my team,” HPU head coach Lyndsey Boswell said. “I’m so proud to have played here today. Our overall execution wasn’t on point, but we’ll be back and we’ll be prepared the next time. Maryland is No. 1 for a reason. I have a lot of respect for their coaches and the players they have here.”

Down 7-0, sophomore Emory Gaeng put the Panthers on the board with her 38th goal of the season off a feed from junior Erin Ilchuk with 13:38 left in the first half. Gaeng scored her second of the day after streaking through the Maryland defense with 5:39 remaining in the first half.

High Point started the second half on a high note as junior Erica Perrotta ran through the Terp defense to score her 38th goal of the season just 33 seconds in the half. Perrotta scored again off a nice spin move with 21:35 left for her second goal of the day.

The Panthers’ fifth goal came when senior Samantha Brown found freshman Ashley Britton running in on the cage alone, and Britton converted for her 19th goal of the season.

Junior Darla Poulin scored on the fast break for her 55th goal of the season with 4:12 left in the second half. Perrotta had her 30th assist of the season on the play.

Maryland (20-0) led in shots, 36-18, and draw controls, 19-10, but the Panthers led in ground balls, 15-13.

Brown finished her Panther career with 173 points, third-most in HPU history, while her 62 assists rank third and her 111 goals rank fourth. Brown set single-season HPU records for goals (61), points (87) and shots (128).

Fellow senior Christina Del Sesto concluded her High Point career with 88 caused turnovers, which ranks tied for second in school history, and 108 ground balls, which ranks fourth.

The 2017 Panthers graduate three seniors, including Brown, Del Sesto and Jianela Rincon.