No. 1 High Point Wins 2019 Big South Women's Lacrosse Title
HIGH POINT, N.C. -- The No. 25 High Point University women's lacrosse team captured its third-consecutive Big South Championship after defeating Winthrop, 17-10, Sunday (April 28) at Vert Stadium.
BOX SCORE
The Panthers' third straight tournament title is a Big South women's lacrosse record. HPU (15-4) has now won five Big South tournament crowns (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019) and sixth overall (2011 in the National Lacrosse Conference). HPU has now won 26 consecutive games against Big South opponents, going undefeated in the conference regular season and tournament each of the last three seasons.
With the win, the Panthers qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the third-straight year and will learn their opponent on May 5.
After Winthrop (8-11) scored the first goal, HPU scored the next eight to break open the game and led 14-4 at halftime. High Point extended its lead to 12 less than three minutes into the half before Winthrop came charging back. The Eagles closed out the Panthers on the defensive end and went on a 6-0 run over a nearly 18 minute span to pull within 16-10 with 6:47 remaining. Winthrop had a couple opportunities to keep the run going but couldn't put any more in the goal. High Point added one more goal in the final minute to reach the 17-10 final. High Point led in shots, 40-19, draw controls, 21-8, and ground balls, 20-15.
HPU sophomore Abby Hormes set a Big South Championship final record with 10 points on six goals and four assists. Named the Tournament MVP, Hormes became the first Panther and the second Big South student-athlete to record 100 points in a season. Hormes also set a new HPU single-season record with 65 goals. She also recorded five draw controls and has tied the single-season school record with 79, tying Samantha Herman, who had 79 in 2018.
Senior Valerie Pelling recorded four points on two goals and two assists, while senior Allie Little and sophomore Rachel Foster each had two goals and an assist. Sophomore Nicole Pugh added two goals and Herman tallied a goal and an assist. Redshirt-junior Meredith Chapman collected eight draw controls, while Herman added five.
For Winthrop, Alaina Girani set a Big South finals record with 17 saves in the contest and tied her own record for saves in any tournament game. Olivia Deaver finished with three goals as Lauren Morris added two goals and two assists. McKenna Blick and Savanah Paton each scored twice.
All-Tournament Team
Abby Hormes, High Point (MVP)
Meredith Chapman, High Point
Valerie Pelling, High Point
Hayley Norris, High Point
Alaina Girani, Winthrop
McKenna Blick, Winthrop
Olivia Deaver, Winthrop
Nicole Fordyce, Longwood
Lexi Davis, Longwood
Amanada Chacin, Campbell
Melissa Placek, Campbell