WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic women's lacrosse team hosted Lynn for senior night on Tuesday.
The game was closely contested the entire time as neither team gained a sizeable lead. PBA (1-6, 1-5 SSC) nearly tied the game late, but
Arianna Soffos' shot was saved by the Fighting Knights keeper and Lynn (2-5, 1-5 SSC) held on for the 11-10 lead.
Kiki Cinotti,
Chelsea Smith and
Lindsey Heffler led the 'Fish with two goals each.
Sara Metheny, Kate Leblanc, Soffos and
Taylor Swartz all each found the back of the net in the contest. Cinotti and Smith led PBA with two caused turnovers apiece while the former tallied the lone assist of the game for the Sailfish.
PBA fed off the senior day energy, getting out to a 5-2 lead through the first 20 minutes of play with goals from Leblanc, Cinotti, Heffler and Swartz. Momentum stalled for the 'Fish as Lynn began to make its comeback with a goal at the eight-minute mark in the first half. To make matters worse, the Sailfish, who were already plagued with key injuries, lost Leblanc late in the first half after she picked up her second yellow card. Lynn ended the half on a 3-0 run to make it 5-5 at halftime.
Heffler opened the second half with an early goal to put the 'Fish back in front. Lynn answered quickly, but a goal by Smith made it 7-6 with 21 minutes to play. That is when Lynn made its run. The Fighting Knights strung together three unanswered goals to hold a two-goal advantage.
Lynn held its advantage until the nine-minute mark when Soffos cut the deficit to one. The game was tied after a free-position goal from Metheny with eight minutes left to go. Lynn retook the Lead with four minutes to go on a free position attempt of its own. PBA had its chances down the stretch but did not come up with the equalizing goal.
Shot Accuracy was not PBA's strong suit this evening as only 17 of its 29 shots were on target compared to 21 of Lynn's 24 attempts. Besides the discrepancy in shots on goal, the team stats were nearly even in every other category.
Senior Sara Vernarelli played the entire game in goal for the 'Fish. She totaled 14 saves in the game, her highest save total in three seasons. She also scooped up a team-high seven ground balls.
The Sailfish hit the road on Saturday to face Saint Leo on Saturday. The game in Saint Leo, Fla. is scheduled for 3 p.m.
