March 4, 2006
Late rally lifts Monarchs past improved Averett 13-8
McGonagle scores three goals with five assists as Methodist evens up at 2-2

DANVILLE, Va. – In the past four seasons, Averett was always almost a guaranteed “W” on the schedule for the Methodist Monarch lacrosse team. However, that wasn’t the case on Saturday as the Monarchs fought off an improved Cougar squad 13-8 at Averett. The victory was the second straight for Methodist, which improved to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the USA South.

There were four lead-changes and five ties before the Monarchs took control with five goals in the final 10 minutes of the game. Katelyn Cushman gave the Monarchs a 9-8 lead with an unassisted goal with 10 minutes remaining, and it remained that for the next seven minutes before Lauren McGonagle’s unassisted goal increased the Methodist lead to 9-7.

Bridget Holcomb and Kali Rodriguez both scored goals before Cushman put the exclamation point on the game with an unassisted goal with 12 seconds remaining.

Cushman paced Methodist with four goals, while McGonagle scored three goals and dished out five assists. Holcomb also scored three goals and Rodriguez added two goals. For Averett (3-1, 1-1), Vanessa Jordan scored four goals and Darcie Jones scored three goals.

Methodist will be in Wellington, Fla., for two games next week, starting with a 7:30 p.m. showdown on Monday against Elizabethtown.