High Point WLAX Splits Weekend Contests; Panthers Fall to Flames in Close One

Site: High Point, N.C. (Vert Stadium)
Score: Liberty 15, High Point 13
Records: High Point (6-7, 4-0), Liberty (8-6, 1-0)
Next HPU Event: Wednesday, April 21st vs. Gardner-Webb

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women’s lacrosse team split its contests weekend contests falling to Liberty 15-13 after defeating Radford a day prior. Abby Hormes led the way for HPU with seven goals on the day and an assist for eight points. It marks her sixth straight game of having scored at least five goals. The senior has 59 goals on the season and 72 points on the year. Ashley Britton was the other Panther with a multi-goal game as she ended the day with an evenly balanced two goals and two assists.

“Today was disappointing, however, there were so many things within our control and that’s good news moving forward”, Head Coach Lyndsey Boswell said after the game. “Our goals remain the same, continue learning and developing and stay focused on winning a championship in two weeks to get back to the NCAA Tournament. I’m proud of the fight, we gave up too many opportunities today.”

The Flames opened the game by getting off to a 2-0 start placing immediate pressure on HPU, the Panthers responded with two of their own as Katie Hormes and Ashley Britton got the offense started and tied the game up at two with 17:46 remaining in the first. A Liberty three-goal run made it 5-2, Rachel Foster scored to bring an end to the run. After a Flame goal, Abby Hormes took over to end the first half with two quick goals which suddenly made the game 6-5. Hormes’ run at the end of the half made it only a one-goal deficit at half for HPU.

Liberty started the second half with three straight goals to go up 9-5 with 26:35 to play. The two sides exchanged goals to make it 10-6 then the Panthers went on a three-goal run as the momentum shifted in the favor of HPU. Abby Hormes had two goals in the run while Brielle Prouty added one as well, the run made it 10-9. The goal that gave the Panthers nine was one set up off of a draw win by Emma Genovese then pushed the ball down the field in transition and found Hormes who finished to bring HPU within one. The Flames answered with two of their own to extend the lead back up to three. Jill Rall had a very impressive day in cage for HPU as she made 12 saves which neared her career-high of 16. Not only did Rall have 12 saves but she also had an assist in a clearing attempt where she stood at the midfield and found Abby Hormes downfield who sprinted towards goal after making the catch and scored.

Liberty scored to make it a three-goal game again, Britton and Abby Hormes scored two Panther goals in a row and put High Point within one again with 6:59 to play.

Over the next two minutes, Liberty scored two and was able to secure the victory in Vert Stadium.

UP NEXT: High Point stays home as hosts Gardner-Webb on Wednesday, April 21st in a Big South showdown at 5:00 PM inside Vert Stadium.