Buena Vista, VA - In yet another important USA South matchup, the Southern Virginia women's lacrosse team came together and dominated Brevard College, 21-7, to send their seniors off the turf at Knights Stadium on a high note.
The Knights entered the matchup one spot behind Brevard in the conference standings. The contest held great importance as both teams are looking to clinch home field advantage for the first round of the USA South Tournament by season's end. It also provided the five seniors of Southern Virginia a chance to leave Knights Stadium as winners for the final time in the regular season.
Piper Searle, a senior from Kaysville, Utah, was ready to go from the gun and scored the opening tally just under a minute after the opening draw. Not only did a senior open the scoring, but it was a senior that was responsible for each Southern Virginia goal in the first quarter to blow open the game. Kiah Baisden scored her first of the day by slashing past the keeper on a free position opportunity, while Roxy Lebaron also added to the fun for a 5-1 lead. The Knights grabbed a stranglehold on the game by scoring three consecutive goals at the start of the second quarter, they dominated possession and made it difficult for the Tornados to escape their own end. They eventually made their way into the locker with a 9-3 advantage, dominating in shots by a count of 20-5 and forcing the Brevard goalkeeper, Kyla Smith-Fondall, to make several key saves.
The Tornados fought back in the third quarter to level things out thanks to a couple of free position goals, keeping them within striking distance. Ellie Patterson wreaked havoc on both sides of the field with a difference making defensive performance. She caused two more turnovers in the third to up her total to 5 on the day, leading both teams in that category. Reagan Bullock added her second of the game that would eventually leave the Knights with a 13-6 lead heading into the final quarter.
Unfortunately for Brevard, Southern Virginia saved their best for the final fifteen minutes. Paige Kneubuhler scored under thirty seconds into the fourth to put some wind into the sails of her team, but it would be the last time that they would find the back of the net. The Knights peppered the Tornados goal to the tune of 16 shots, 8 of those finding a way past the keeper. The best moments came in the final three minutes when seniors Baylee Bruce and Addison England both scored, which meant that every senior on the roster put a marker on the board in their final regular season game at Knights Stadium. Baylee Bruce found twine by completing not one, but two spin-o-rama's, coming from beneath the goal line before beating the keeper. Addison England scored while a player up with less than thirty seconds to play after she made a dash towards the middle, leaving the defenders in her wake.
The win improves the Knights record to 5-3 in conference play, tying them with Brevard for fourth place as it currently stands. Seniors Roxy Lebaron, Kiah Baisden, Addison England, Baylee Bruce, and Piper Searle, combined for 13 of the Knights' 21 goals, leaving no doubt the amount of value they bring to their team. Lebaron and Bruce each caused a turnover and picked up plenty of ground balls to anchor the defense once again while England continued to do yeoman's work on the draws. Baisden and Searle led the team in scoring once again and will look to do more damage as the postseason approaches having already set career highs in goals.
Next on the schedule, the Knights will close their regular season on the road at Huntingdon College in Alabama. Game time is scheduled for Saturday, April 27th at 11:00 AM.
For the most up-to-date details and information on the team, follow @knightwlax on instagram or visit knightathletics.com for streaming options and live stats.
