Site: Vert Stadium (High Point, N.C.)
Score: High Point 13, Duke 22
Records: High Point (0-2), Duke (4-0)
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point University women’s lacrosse team battled #6 Duke midway through the third quarter and found themselves trailing 12-11 with 7:02 before the Blue Devils pulled away late to win 22-13. Duke had previously only allowed 13 goals in their three prior games, yet HPU was able to score 13 and cause a goalie change.
Freshman Espirit Cha scored a hat trick for her first collegiate goal and Kay Rosselli also scored a hat trick with an assist for the Panthers. Abby Hormes and Nicole Pugh had 2 goals and 2 assists each for the Panthers on the day.
Lyndsey Boswell: I’m really proud of the way we started the game. Through the first half, I felt we were in our zone and totally locked in all over the field. I’m really proud of our freshman that stepped up today and contributed on the offensive end. Unfortunately, Duke is a strong team with a deep bench and weren’t able to keep executing our game plan through the third quarter.
Panther Particulars
The Panthers got off to a quick start in the game-winning the first draw control of the match and Kay Rosselli scored on a nice pass from Nicole Pugh. Duke quickly answered to tie the game at 1, however, the Panthers would respond.
After a violation, Hormes scored on a free position goal to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
The Blue Devils would respond with a 4-0 run to take a 5-2 lead. The Panthers ended the run with a free position goal from Pugh to cut the deficit to 5-3, which was the final score at the end of the first quarter.
Pugh continued with the hot hand and scored the first goal of the second quarter on another free position attempt to bring the score to 5-4. The Panthers came all the way back to tie the game at 5 apiece on a Rosselli goal on an assist from Mena Loescher.
The Blue Devils then went on another quick 3-0 run to take an 8-5 lead. Freshman Esprit Cha scored her first collegiate goal on an assist from Pugh to cut the Duke lead to 8-6 at the 5:56 mark of the second quarter.
After a Duke goal, Cha added a second goal to bring the Panthers back within two, as they trailed 9-7 at the 1:43 mark. Both teams added a goal in the last few minutes and the Panthers trailed 10-8 at halftime.
After a Blue Devil goal, another Panther freshman scored her first collegiate goal as Mandy Brockamp scored on an assist from Hormes to bring the deficit to 11-9 with 11:43 to go in the third. Brockamp followed up with a free position goal to cut the Blue Devil lead to 11-10. Duke extended the lead to 12-10 before Cha scored her third goal to give her a hat trick and keep the deficit to 1 at 12-11.
The Blue Devils responded with a 5-0 run to end the third quarter and led 17-11 after three-quarters of play.
Duke finished their 10-0 run with five consecutive goals in the fourth quarter before a Rosselli goal gave her a hat trick on the today and brought the Panthers to 22-12. Hormes scored in the final minute to bring the score to 22-13.
Up Next: The Panthers head out back on the road and make the trip north to Harrisonburg, V.A. to play James Madison. The Panthers will play JMU on Saturday, February 26th at 1:00 PM. The game will be broadcast on Flo Sports ($).