Misenheimer, NC – The Pfeiffer women's lacrosse team defeated the Bobcats of Lees-McRae College for the third time in five days to advance to the semifinals of the Conference Carolinas women's lacrosse tournament. Over the past three games the Pfeiffer Falcons have outscored the Lees-McRae Bobcats 61-28. The Bobcats end their season 6-12 overall and 2-10 in the conference, while the Falcons improve to 12-6 overall (9-3 conf.).

Pfeiffer was the first to get on the board with an unassisted goal by freshman midfielder Liz Melesh (Annapolis, MD), but the Bobcats responded within five minutes to tie the score at 1-1. The Falcons geared up their offense, scored 10 more goals in the first half and took an 11-3 lead into the break.

Lees-McRae bettered its score by adding five more to their total in the second stanza, but Pfeiffer added eight of its own. By the final buzzer the score rested at 19-8 with the Pfeiffer advantage.

The Falcons outshot the Bobcats 42-17 and won 22 of 34 ground balls. Pfeiffer also won 17 of 29 draw controls. The Falcons were 4-7 on free position shots, while the Bobcats were 3-3. Each team tallied 18 fouls. Pfeiffer caused 11 of LMC's 24 turnovers, while LMC caused five of Pfeiffer's 13.

Leading the Falcons was Melesh who had five points on the day. Melesh marked four goals and had one assist. She also won two draw controls. Junior midfielder Jamie Livingston (Winter Park, FL) also had five points. She had two goals and three assists. Livingston grabbed three ground balls.

Kelly McConnell (Woodbridge, VA) had four goals and scooped two ground balls. Senior Krissy Bentolila (Potomac, MD) tallied three points off of two goals and one assist. She moved up as Pfeiffer's third All-Time Career Points Leader and third All-Time Career Goals leader.

Falcon starting goalkeeper Caitlyn Ryan (Perth, Australia) made three saves in the first half. Lindsey Rearigh (Monument, CO) came into the game in the second half and also made three saves.

Desiree Cox (Hendersonville, TN) and Cheryse Cox (Hendersonville, TN) each score a hat trick for the Bobcats. Goalkeeper Martha Peacock (Mooresville, NC) made 13 saves in 60 minutes of play.

Pfeiffer returns to the field on Saturday versus Belmont Abbey at tournament host site Limestone College.

2009-04-15