MARS HILL, N.C. – The Converse College lacrosse team opened its 2020 campaign with an 18-3 loss at the hands of Mars Hill University on Wednesday evening. 

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Mars Hill 18, Converse 3

Records: Mars Hill (1-0) Converse (0-1)

Location: Ammons Family Athletic Complex, Mars Hill University 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Cassidy O'Neill, playing in her first collegiate game, paced the Vals with two goals.
• Libby Stevens notched a team-high three assists on the evening.
• Kat Goldfuss was the only other player for Converse to scratch the scoring column.
• Of the Valkyries 10 shots, eight were on goal.
• Ciriaca Petitto anchored the defense with two caused turnovers, while Madalynn Brunner collected nine saves in goal.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half

Mars Hill's Tina Fabrizio started the scoring with a goal at the 26:45 mark of the opening half. However, Converse was able to knot the score at 1-1 just minutes later after O'Neill took a beautiful pass from Stevens, firing the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net. 

From that point it was all Lions as Mars Hill tallied the final 12 goals of the first half, taking a commanding 13-1 lead into the intermission. 

Second Half

O'Neill was able to post her second score of the contest minutes into the second half, taking another pass from Stevens and blasting the ball into the cage. Unfortunately, Mars Hill was able to use another run, this time five unanswered, to control the game (18-2) with four minutes remaining in the contest. 

Converse continued to fight until the final whistle as Goldfuss ripped a one-timer past the MHU goalie with 1:50 on the clock, accounting for the final score of the contest. 

UP NEXT

Following a one-week hiatus, Converse will return to the field, traveling to Gaffney, S.C. to take on the Saints of Limestone College. First draw control is scheduled for 4 p.m.