April 8, 2006
Methodist buries Shenandoah 18-4
West and McGrath play final home game; Methodist secures #3 seed in conference tourney

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Methodist women’s lacrosse ended their impressive regular season in typical fashion- lots of goals, and another win.  The Monarchs defeated visiting Shenandoah University 18-4 to finish at 11-3 and 4-2 in USA South play. 

After a few minutes of each team feeling the other out, the Monarch offense got on track at the 4:17 mark when Lauren McGonagle scored unassisted.  On the ensuing face-off Lindsey West took the draw control and fed Bridget Holcomb, and nine seconds later it was 2-0.  McGonagle and West would each score again in the next minutes and Methodist was out to a comfortable 4-0 lead.

During the mid point of the first half, momentum shifted slightly to the visiting Hornets.  Shenandoah scored three of the next four goals to make it a 5-3 game at the 15:44 mark of the first half.  Methodist, however, would respond in a big way.  The Monarchs scored four times before half to lead 9-3 at intermission. 

The Monarchs stayed hot starting the second half, scoring six more of their ten straight unanswered goals to stretch their lead to 15-3.  The final twelve minutes of the game the Monarchs were in cruise control settling into the 18-4 final.

Bridget Holcomb had a huge day for Methodist, scoring eight goals and adding two assists.  Lauren McGonagle added five goals and an assist. 

The day was also the final home games in the careers of Lindsey West and Bridgette McGrath.  Both seniors wrapped up memorable careers with outstanding games.  West, currently 7^th in the nation in points per game, scored three times to go along with four assists.  McGrath, an anchor in the Monarch defense over the past four years, also scored for Methodist.

For the game the Monarchs controlled the crease taking most of their shots from close range and connecting on 18 of their 30 shot attempts. 

Joia Davis netted two goals to lead Shenandoah (5-8, 2-4).

With the win Methodist earns the #3 seed in next weekend’s USA South Conference tournament.  They will play #2 seed Christopher Newport University at 4:00 pm on Friday.  The Monarchs lost at CNU last week by a score of 13-9.  The #1 seed will be Greensboro College, whom the Monarchs lost to by just one goal on February 22nd.