SWEET BRIAR, Va. – The Sweet Briar lacrosse team (0-2, 0-0 ODAC) came up short against the Pfeiffer University Falcons (4-0, 0-0 USA South) as the team fell by a score of 24-0.
Pfeiffer used a fast start in the first quarter to seize control, while Sweet Briar spent much of the period under pressure in its own defensive end. The Vixens won two draws in the opening frame but was unable to generate a shot. Sophomore goalkeeper
Larkin Shire (Caroline County, Va.) turned away four Pfeiffer attempts and the defense forced three Falcon turnovers to limit further damage late in the quarter. Despite trailing 9–0 after 15 minutes, the Vixens produced a pair of clears and early ground balls from senior
Liz Carr (Charlottesville, Va.) and first-year
Layla Robinson (Millville, N.J.).
In the second quarter, Sweet Briar began to break through offensively, recording its first three shots of the afternoon and drawing multiple free-position opportunities. Sophomore
Elise Palazzo (Allentown, Pa.) earned a free-position attempt at 12:47 that was saved, and a few minutes later first-year Lynsday Davis (Mocksville, N.C.) put another shot on cage, testing the Falcons goalkeeper. Sweet Briar also improved at the draw with three controls in the frame and picked up three ground balls, highlighted by work from Robinson and first-year
Hadyn Kuhns (Spotsylvania, Va.), even as Pfeiffer pushed its lead to 12–0 by halftime.
The third quarter was Sweet Briar's most active stretch as the Vixens collected five ground balls, their highest total in any period. Kuhns and Shire were central figures, with Kuhns helping to break up plays in front of the cage and Shire cleaning up loose balls in the defensive arc while adding to her save total. Davis continued to battle at the draw circle, and the Vixens generated another free-position chance through Palazzo, but Pfeiffer converted a series of transition opportunities to extend its advantage to 19–0 by the end of the third.
In the fourth quarter, Sweet Briar continued to compete to the final whistle, adding two more draw controls and three additional ground balls while holding Pfeiffer to just five goals in the closing 15 minutes. Shire stopped two more shots in the frame to finish with 10 saves, and the Vixens generated two late-shot attempts, including a free-position look for first-year
Caitlin Weaver (Wellford, S.C.) and a final shot at the horn from Palazzo as the game closed at 24–0.
Highlights
- Shire had her first career appearance in goal, and recorded 10 saves.
- Three Vixens recorded a caused turnover.
What's Next
The Vixen's will remain at home to face Lynchburg in their first ODAC matchup on Feb. 25th.
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