Cobras Fall to Conference Leader Queens on Saturday

By: Jake Miller

CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Coker women's lacrosse fell against Queens (N.C.) 17-10 in South Atlantic Conference action on Saturday (Apr. 15).

After Queens opened the scoring just 1:37 into the game, Coker responded with goals from Mackenzie Baker and Marabeth Durden to take a 2-1 lead less than five minutes in. Four Queens goals in a row put the Royals up 5-2, before an unassisted tally from Faith Kent got Coker back within two. With under eight minutes to play in the half, goals from Haley McCusker and Claudia Jenkins less than a minute apart got Coker to within one, before six Royals goals in four minutes stretched the lead to 12-5 with under one minute to play. Jenkins and McCusker went back-to-back again inside the last minute, and the visitors went to the half down by five.

Coker held the Queens potent offense to just five goals in the second half, however only scored three times in response. McCusker tallied a hat trick in under a five-minute span midway through the half, and that was the only scoring Coker would have in the second.

McCusker led the way offensively with five goals, while Jenkins found the back of the net twice. Baker, Kent and Durden each scored once in the contest. The Cobras scooped up 18 ground balls as a team, with Kaitlyn Kimball collecting five and Lindsay Ordemann picking up three. Coker won the draw control battle 16-12, with Baker, Kent, Durden and Ordemann each registering three. Kimball caused a team-high three turnovers, while Durden and Ordemann each recorded two. Cassie Williams (11-4) made five saves in the contest.

The Cobras (11-4, 5-2 SAC) take the field again on Tuesday (Apr. 18) when they travel to Converse for a non-conference matchup. Opening draw is set for 5:00 p.m.