After starting the season 4-2, women's lacrosse played Stetson University, the University of Florida and Radford University in their next three games. They went 2-1 in those games.
Stetson, March 27
The Bears returned home from South Carolina to play Stetson for the first time this season. Mercer got things started with an early goal from Erin Degnan, but Stetson quickly tied the score with a goal of their own. Tied 1-1, the Bears scored the next five goals between two from Hailey Rhatigan, one from Chloe Schaeffer, one from Shannon Urey and another goal from Degnan. Stetson stopped the bleeding with two more goals before the end of the first period. Mercer closed out the period with five goals from Abby Soltys, Schaeffer, Rhatigan, Urey and Maddi Koury to go up 11-3.
The second period allowed Mercer to further increase their lead. They added six more goals with three from Rhatigan, one from Degnan, one from Koury and one from Urey. Stetson tried to climb back with three goals of their own, but the Hatters went into the half down 17-6. The game ended with another rain of five goals between the third and fourth periods. One goal from Kileigh Casey, one from Lyndsey Lewis, two from Kayla Soltys and one from Kate Giglio turned the match into a blowout. Stetson doubled their first half total of goals, but the Bears still won 22-12.
Florida, March 30
The Bears stayed home to face #10 ranked Florida and come out the loser. The Bears opened the scoring early with two goals from Rhatigan and Lewis compared to Florida's one goal. However, the Gators scored three unanswered goals to end the first period and another three at the beginning of the second to lead 7-2. Rhatigan put in two more goals for Mercer in the second but the Gators answered again with two of their own. Down 9-4 at the half, the Bears needed a surge to find an answer. Unfortunately, Koury would score the final goal of the game for Mercer while the Gators poured on ten more goals in the third and fourth periods to win 19-5.
Radford, Saturday
Looking to get back on track, the Bears traveled to Virginia to play Radford and defeated the Highlanders 20-4. The Bears scored the first 12 goals of the game unanswered with five from Rhatigan, two from Schaeffer, two from Lewis, two from Dengan and one from Lind. Ratford finally scored at the end of the second period to go into the locker room with the Bears up 12-1. Mercer filled the scoring column again in the third period, with one goal from Kayala Soltys, one from Schaeffer, one from Rhatigan, one from Gabby Givirgilo and one from Jordan Bramble to lead 17-1. The Bears took their foot off the gas in the fourth period, allowing Radford to score three goals. The Bears closed out the game with goals from Grace Swail, Kayla Soltys and one from Urey, however, winning 20-4.
The Bears will return home on Wednesday to player Gardner-Webb.
Keith Holmes Jr. ‘22 is a journalism and creative writing double major who has worked with The Cluster as general staff since his Sophomore year. Keith has received Best in SNO awards for his sports articles along with years of work at Mercer’s ESPN3 branch. Keith spends his free time playing video games and writing fiction around campus.
