Spartanburg, SC-Converse Lacrosse scored their most goals ever in a game against Erskine College Wednesday afternoon. The 10-9 win is also the first time the Valkyries have scored double digits and marks their first home victory as wells as first sweep of a conference foe. Erskine falls to 0-11 on the season while Converse improves to 2-8 overall.
Sam Crowder scored the game-winning goal solo in the last minute to a break a 9-9 tie, deciding the tight nail-biter against the Flying Fleet. The digfest match saw two Converse players score three goals apiece: Crowder and Ericka Lloyd.
Converse's Lisa Ryan scored the first goal of the game five minutes into play and was matched by Erskine's Jessica Skinner four minutes later. Both teams battled for draw controls and traded points, drawing plenty of fouls for most of the match. The Fleet went up 5-2 with 10 minutes to go until Sam Crowder, Bre Hinnant, and Ericka Lloyd (with two goals) all sent the ball to the back of the net to bring the score to 6-6 in a mere five minutes.
Again, both teams managed to trade goals until a tie settled at 9-9 with 17 minutes left in the second half. For the 16 ensuing minutes, Converse and Erskine battled through a series of turnovers and fouls. Crowder finally gained possession from a groundball and was eventually awarded a free position with less than a minute left on the clock. The ensuing goal decided the match.
Three Erskine players scored two goals apiece: Alesia Jerrels, Erin Connor, and Jessica Skinner. Jerrels also controlled 5 draws.
Converse was led by Crowder and Lloyd in scoring (3 apiece). Bre Hinnant followed with two more goals. Ashley Day and Lisa Ryan both added a goal each. Ryan grabbed 5 draw controls.
Converse netminder Ashley Mercuri saved 5 shots while Erskine's goalie managed 13 saves.
The Valkyries edged out Erskine in groundballs (12-8) and draw controls (12-7). Erskine had one less turnover than Converse (23-24).
Converse travels to Queens on Tuesday, April 7th. The match is set for 6:00pm.
