Win or lose, experience playing against top competition early in the season is a recipe for success, and the games on the Fort Lewis College women’s lacrosse schedule have been no picnic.
The Skyhawks (3-2, 1-1 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) faced their second top-10 opponent in five games Friday, as they fell to No. 8 Lock Haven University 14-6 at Regis University in Denver. FLC’s only other loss this season came at the hands of No. 3 Lindenwood.
FLC senior Ellie Carpenter has been a machine to start the year, and she kept her string of impressive play going Friday with another hat trick. Carpenter has scored at least three goals in each of the five FLC games.
Lock Haven (3-0) grabbed an early lead just 47 seconds into the game with a goal from Rachel Engler and added another quick one to take a two-goal lead. Carpenter cut the Skyhawks’ deficit to 2-1, but Lock Haven showed why they’re one of the country’s top teams with an offensive explosion that built an insurmountable lead.
Six goals in 8 minutes put the Skyhawks behind 8-1. Rebecca Miller, Ryann Pierce and Jam Vertner teamed up to score the next three goals and cut Lock Haven’s halftime lead to 8-4.
The Bald Eagles responded with the first five goals of the second half to take a 13-4 lead and put the game away.
Alyssa Spencer went the distance in goal and made six saves in the loss for Fort Lewis.
The Skyhawks’ home opener is scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday against Oklahoma Baptist at Ray Dennison Field.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
