FERRUM, Va.—Despite three goals from junior Rainey Whitworth, the Southern Virginia University women's lacrosse team fell to Ferrum College Tuesday afternoon by a 17-8 score at Penn-Roediger Field in Ferrum, Virginia.

The first half proved to be the difference maker in the match as the Panthers outscored Southern Virginia 15-3 through the first 30 minutes of play.

Ferrum (1-0) outscored the Knights 6-1 through the first 10 minutes before Southern Virginia cut its deficit to three after consecutive goals by Whitworth and Claire Houghtaling. That would be all the Knights would get in the first frame as the Panthers scored nine unanswered to finish the half.

Southern Virginia's (0-2) defense stiffened up in the second half as it held Ferrum to just two goals and gained a 5-2 scoring advantage in the final 30 minutes, but it was too little too late as the Knights ran out of time after a Zoe Bradshaw score.

Southern Virginia had 12 shots on the match compared to the Panthers' 37, and had 12 turnovers while forcing Ferrum into just nine turnovers on the afternoon.

Whitworth finished with three goals on four shots, while Houghtaling and Megan Barfuss each finished with two goals apiece.

Goalie Cammi Miller had 10 saves in all 60 minutes of action.

Shannon Brown finished with six goals to lead Ferrum.

Women's lacrosse has three days off before it travels to Bridgewater, Virginia, to take on the Eagles of ODAC member Bridgewater College on Friday. Game time is slated for 4 p.m.