WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic women's lacrosse team hosted Florida Tech under the lights at the Rinker Athletic Campus on Wednesday.
PBA (1-4, 1-4 SSC) held an early lead in the first half, but Florida Tech (1-6, 1-4 SSC) flipped the switch midway through the period which led to a 19-13 Panther win. FT held a clear advantage in draw controls, snagging 20 compared to PBA's 12. A dominant draw control coupled with 11 free position shots was enough to lead to a comfortable win for the Panthers.
Kiki Cinotti carried the Sailfish attack with seven goals and an assist. Kate Leblanc added a pair of goals, a pair of assists and tied for a team-high three ground balls. Anna Laskeris,
Grace Bartlinski,
Lindsey Heffler and
Arianna Soffos all found the back of the net in the game. Soffos' goal was the first of her Sailfish career.
Cinotti and Laskeris got the Sailfish on the board early in the contest. PBA held a 4-2 lead through the first five minutes of action. Minutes later, Laskeris forced a turnover, scooped up a ground ball and assisted on a Cinotti goal to give the 'Fish a 6-4 lead with just over 11 minutes left in the first half. Florida Tech answered with a 4-0 run to take an 8-6 lead into the halftime break.
FT picked up where it left off in the second half, opening the period with two more goals to take a 10-6 lead. A goal from Cinotti stopped the run, but the Panthers answered with two more goals to lead 12-7. The Sailfish answered with goals from Heffler and Cinotti to keep PBA within striking distance with 15 minutes left; however, the Panthers extended their lead with a 6-1 run. The Sailfish tried to rally with a three-goal spurt down the stretch, but it was too little, too late for the 'Fish as the visitors cruised to a 19-3 lead.
Abigal Nehring got the start in goal for the 'Fish. She finished with three saves before being replaced by
Sarah Vernarelli. Vernarelli tallied eight saves and tied for a team-high three ground balls in her 38 minutes of play.
PBA is scheduled to face Rollins on the road on Saturday. The game in Winter Park, Fla. is scheduled for 4 p.m.
