By: Jake Miller

HARTSVILLE, S.C.- Coker women's lacrosse defended home turf in their South Atlantic Conference opener, defeating Lenoir-Rhyne 10-4 on Saturday (Mar. 4).

Faith Kent got the scoring started less than four minutes into the game, before the visitors tied the game less than a minute later. The Bears would take a brief lead, before Haley McCusker would tie the game at the 12:50 mark of the first half. Claudia Jenkins would assist on Katie Driskell's go-ahead goal at 19:12 of the first half that would propel the Cobras to stay ahead for the rest of the game. Jenkins would tally a goal with eight minutes left in the first half, and that would be all the scoring for the half as Coker went to the break with the 4-2 lead.

Jenkins led the offense notching a hat trick, while Durden and McCusker each registered two goals. Driskell, Kent and Huntsinger each chipped in one in the contest. Defensively, the Cobras won the draw control battle 8-7 and caused 14 L-R turnovers. Durden collected four draw controls, while Kent picked up three. Kent and Jenkins each caused three turnovers, while Kaitlyn Kimball and Bailey O'Brien each added two. Durden also caused one turnover. Cassie Williams (3-1) made 12 saves between the pipes for the Cobras.

The Cobras are back at home on Tuesday (Mar. 7) when they host West Virginia Wesleyan in non-conference action. Opening draw is set for 4:00 p.m. at the Coker Athletic Field. Tickets for the game are $5 for adults, $3 for students and free to all Coker faculty, staff and students.

McDonald's Player of the Game- Cassie Williams