RADFORD, Va. – A matchup of in-state rivals was tight throughout most of the afternoon on Wednesday, but a late Radford run sealed the fate of Longwood lacrosse. The Highlanders (5-11, 2-6 Big South) used a combined nine goals from Margaret Gleason and Reece Morrish to take down the Lancers (4-11, 2-6 Big South) 18-11. The duo powered an 8-0 run that closed the game to overcome a four-goal effort by Longwood's Riley McDonald.
 
SCORE:
 
               1Q          2Q          3Q          4Q          Final
LWU      4             3             4             0             11
RAD       4             5             4             5             18
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
This battle was tight throughout. Neither side led by more than three goals over the first three quarters, but a late first-quarter surge that carried into the second quarter proved to be the difference for Radford.
 
The Lancers jumped out to an early 4-1 lead behind a pair of goals from Harper Melton. The senior had her first multi-goal game as a Lancer, and Longwood controlled the pace of play by dominating on draw controls. Lauren Cerretani led the way with seven, and in the process she climbed into the top five in career draw controls in program history.
 
However, a spate of turnovers cost the Lancers, and Radford scored six unanswered goals to flip the game on its head. Radford's trio of Gleason, Reece Morrish and Mady Cheney each scored two goals apiece to power the run on offense, and the defense blanked the Lancer attack for nearly 15 minutes to take a 7-4 lead.
 
The Lancers battled back to tie the game in the third quarter. McDonald was at the helm of the attack, but she had some help. Claire Libby scored twice, and Emily Cate Smith added a goal and an assist during the comeback effort as well. Lexi Hamilton cut the Radford lead to 11-10 before McDonald ripped home her fourth goal of the match on a free position to knot the score at 11 with 4:49 left in the third quarter.
 
Radford had the answer through. The Highlanders again shut down the Lancer attack for the final 20 minutes, and the Radford offense scored seven straight to extend the lead to 18-11 to close out the game.
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
 
For McDonald, it was her 10^th multi-goal game.
 
Cerretani had at least four draw controls for the seventh time this season and fourth straight game.
 
Libby had two goals for her third multi-goal game of the season. She also tied a season high with two assists.
 
Melton scored a career high in goals with two.
 
UP NEXT:
 
Longwood closes the regular season on the road at Winthrop on Saturday, April 29. Opening draw is set for 1 p.m., and the game will be aired on ESPN+.
 
#GoWood #HorsePower