MELBOURNE, Fla. – After dropping its first game of the season on Thursday, the Florida Tech women's lacrosse team returned to the win column Saturday with a 17-13 victory over Kutztown at Panther Stadium.
Three Panthers scored at least four goals in the win including
Kailee O'Brien, who finished with a game-high six points on five goals and an assist. O'Brien also picked up three ground balls and two draw controls.
Aleah Fjelstad recorded four goals, five ground balls, five draw controls and four caused turnovers.
Alexis Townsend ended with four goals against the Bears; it is her fourth straight games scoring at least four goals.
Mollie Kaplan added two goals, two assists and five draw controls.
Caroline MacLeod finished with two goals, two assists, two ground balls and two caused turnovers.
Madison Savje dished out an assist in addition to causing one turnover.
Olivia Going guided through Panther defense with five caused turnovers and one ground ball.
Brooke Albert,
Maile Haire and
Madison Ulvenes each produced a caused turnover.
Both
Madison Fields and
Chloe Zador saw time in goal for the Panthers. Fields got the start and made four saves. Zador came in to start the second half and collected six saves and the win, improving her season record to 2-1.
The game got off to a fast start with the teams combining for seven goals during the initial 7:30 of game time. Kutztown jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead just 2:46 into the contest. However, the Panthers tied the game less than two minutes later on consecutive goals by Kaplan, the second coming on a free position attempt.
Townsend scored on a move from behind the net to give Tech a 3-2 lead with 23:25 to go in the first half. Fjelstad then netted a pair of goals over a 28-second span, both off assists from Kaplan, to increase the Panthers' lead to 5-2 with 22:30 remaining before halftime.
After the Bears tied the game at 5-5, Tech responded with a 6-1 run to go ahead, 11-6. MacLeod got the run started with her first goal of the day, followed by a free position tally from Townsend. O'Brien then scored four straight for the Panthers, the final coming on a free position attempt with 2:56 left in the half.
The Bears netted the final two goals of the first half and Florida Tech took an 11-8 advantage into the break.
KU added three more goals to start the second half and tied the game up at 11-11 with 24:41 remaining. However, the Panthers would answer again following a time out by head coach
McKenzie Rafferty. Tech went on to score four unanswered goals by O'Brien, Fjelstad, Townsend and MacLeod to pull ahead 15-11 with 16:10 to go.
The teams split the final four goals of the game and the Panthers walked away with their sixth win of the season. Tech is one away from matching its win total from a season ago.
Florida Tech finished with an edge in shots (31-26) while Kutztown had more draw controls (18-14). Both teams had 20 ground balls and five free position goals in the game.
The Panthers will look to keep the momentum rolling as they continue their homestand with a matchup with Mercy College on Wednesday, Mar. 11, at Panther Stadium. Opening draw is set for 7 p.m.
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech women's lacrosse team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
