Statesmen End Break with Hard-Fought Win

Lake Wales, Fla.-- The William Penn women's lacrosse team concluded its Sunshine State trip with a come-from-behind 16-14 victory over Warner (Fla.) in non-conference play Thursday.

The Statesmen (6-1) trailed for a good chunk of the contest, but guided by a 41-31 edge in shots, they took down the Royals (0-6).  The visitors committed just 11 turnovers, while forcing 20 Warner mistakes.

The victors started the game with a goal by Emily Ferguson (Jr., Waterloo, N.Y., Exercise Science), but Warner answered right back with two of its own.  Bailee Royal (Sr., Hallsville, Texas, Sports Management) and MacKenzie Petersen (Sr., Albertville, Minn., Public Accounting) then each scored to go up 3-2.  Unfortunately, the Royals scored three unanswered to end the first quarter with a 5-3 edge.

Warner extended its advantage to 7-3 in the second stanza after two fast goals, but WPU stormed back into the game with five in a row.  Royal found the back of the net on a free position shot, while Jenna Donlan (Sr., Tampa, Fla., Business Management) managed back-to-back goals. Peterson and Ferguson would add to their total as well.  The Royals got one tally back, however, as the teams hit intermission tied at 8-8.

WU opened the third period with consecutive scores before Ferguson put yet another unassisted ball into the net.  The Royals scored once more, but the next five-plus minutes belonged to the Statesmen as they scored four in a row to take the lead for good.  Royal scored twice, while Ferguson added another goal.  Ashlyn Hoffman (Jr., Bend, Ore, Nursing) also recorded her only goal as the navy and gold entered the final quarter ahead 13-12.

Warner knotted the contest one last time at 13-13 with 10:18 remaining in regulation, but Ferguson, who finished with a team-best six goals, went back-to-back with the second tally being assisted by Kenzington Winget (So., West Jordan, Utah, Sports Management).  The hosts trimmed the margin to one, but Royal secured the win with a final score at the 2:26 mark.

Royal had five goals Thursday, while Petersen and Donlan each managed a pair of scores.

Ferguson also guided the Statesmen with nine draw controls (both teams collected 17 draw controls), while Royal's three ground balls were a squad best.  Overall, the Statesmen managed 15 ground balls, compared to just seven for Warner.

WPU won despite converting just three of its 11 free position shots.

Annie Gruber (Jr., Eagan, Minn., Psychology) tallied six saves in the victory.

Next Up: The Statesmen start Heart of America Athletic Conference play next Tuesday, hosting Missouri Valley at 6 p.m.