COLUMBIA,S.C.- Converse kept Columbia (S.C.) off the scoreboard in the second half of a low scoring affair but it was not enough as the Koalas escaped with a 5-4 non-conference victory over Converse lacrosse on Monday afternoon. 

Converse (3-6) received goals from four different Valkyries. Brittni Jones (Lees Summit, Mo.), Aubrie Lauderdale (Greenville, S.C.), Elizabeth Gabriele (Simpsonville, S.C.), and Jessi Walters (Fort Mill, S.C.) notched a goal in the loss. Jones and Laura Starkes (Whitby, Ontario) recorded an assist. 

Sandra Ponce (Germantown, Md.) posted a second half shutout collecting 12 saves in the contest with seven of those saves in the second half. 

Both teams struggled to find the back of the net with stalwart defense in the cage by both sides. Neither team scored in the first 15 minutes of action until Columbia (12-2) would score three goals in a three minute span to take command early 3-0. 

Less than 90 seconds later, Brittni Jones received the feed from Laura Starkes to cut the deficit down to 3-1 with 11:33 left in the first half. 

The Koalas responded with back-to-back goals to extend their lead out to 5-1. 

Elizabeth Gabriele notched a goal with 1:32 left in the first stanza to bring the Valkyries to within striking distance at 5-2. 

The Valkyries rallied behind Sandra Ponce to start the second half picking up seven saves in the half to shutout Columbia. Aubrie Lauderdale would cut the Koala lead down to two with just under 22 minutes to play. 

Converse had chances to cut the deficit down less than a minute later as Jones hit the post. Jessi Walters found the back of the net with 8:43 remaining in the half to move to within one at 5-4. 

Jones had a chance to tie things up a minute later on a free position shot but the ball found the pipe again. 

Columbia kept the ball away from Converse the final 5:12 to escape the comeback with a 5-4 victory. 

Converse continues their road trip on Tuesday, March 22 as the Valkyries head to Brevard, N.C. to face Brevard in a non-conference tilt. Opening draw is at 3pm.