The Skyhawks took over at the midway point of Thursday’s women’s lacrosse game and never looked back.

After trailing for most of the first half in Salt Lake City, Nikki Fry’s unassisted goal with three minutes left in the first half tied the game and sparked a five-goal stretch for Fort Lewis College that extended well into the second half. The stellar stretch of play gave the visitors command of the lead and they held it until the final buzzer sounded, as Fort Lewis beat Westminster College 12-8.

FLC’s Ellie Carpenter hammered down the win as one of her team-high four points came on her game-winning goal with 13 minutes left. She finished with two goals and two assists while Sara McMahon led the Skyhawks with three goals.

The teams exchanged goals early, as neither team could put together a run. Finally, it was Fry’s goal that gave FLC some momentum and the Skyhawks (5-3, 2-1 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) held a firm grip. Marissa DiCecco followed with a goal before the break and shortly after to give FLC a two-goal lead, and a run was unfolding.

McMahon and Jam Vertner closed out the run with two goals in less than a minute and, all of a sudden, the Skyhawks were doubled up the hosts 8-4. The Griffins (1-4, 1-2 RMAC) followed with three goals in a row to pull back within one, but Carpenter and McMahon put an end to the comeback.

Carpenter made it 9-7, and McMahon added two more for good measure to close out another win for the Skyhawks.

Brooke Galle, Ryann Pierce and Kelli Warmouth all had goals for Fort Lewis in the win.

The Skyhawks will try to keep the road wins coming at 1 p.m. Saturday against Colorado Mesa.

heraldsports@durangoherald.com