Women’s lacrosse team celebrating on the field. Photo courtesy of KSU Athletics
Lacrosse beat Stetson 11–10 on Thursday afternoon, giving the Owls an important win heading into the Atlantic Sun Conference championship tournament.
Lavona Watkins led the KSU offense with three goals and gave the Owls a fast start thanks to her early goal in the first quarter.
Watkins scored two more goals throughout the match, including a third-quarter goal that helped KSU get the momentum back. Watkins’ skill for scoring when it mattered most helped the Owls keep control of the contest.
Lexi Tinker also contributed a goal to go along with three assists. Tinker made scoring opportunities for her teammates to help spark the offense, setting up a couple of early goals in the contest as KSU established their first quarter lead.
Tinker later helped Jordyn Olivo on the game-winning goal late in the third. Her ability to create opportunities kept the Owls productive offensively.
Olivo added two goals, and her final goal came with 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter and pushed the KSU ahead, 11-9, entering the fourth. That score was shown to be the difference as the Owls fought off the Hatters late.
Caleigh Shore dominated possession and was very influential in the victory. Shore accumulated several draw control victories, including three in the third quarter.
Shore also found the net in the opening quarter to give KSU an early lead. The Owls’ success in draw control kept the ball on KSU’s half of the field and limited Stetson’s opportunities.
Goalkeeper Roxy Surridge was outstanding in the second half as well, coming in during the third quarter, making six stops and steadying the defense.
Surridge’s play was especially vital in the fourth quarter when the Owls conceded only one goal. Surridge claimed her first career win thanks to a strong second half.
KSU now turns its attention to Coastal Carolina as it continues its march to the ASUN Tournament.
