MARS HILL, N.C. - The Coker women's lacrosse team came up short in its South Atlantic Conference game to Mars Hill on Saturday (Apr. 2) 16-9.

The Cobras took an early lead just 40 seconds into the game on a goal from Abby Gross, assisted by Meagan Gallagher. The Lions answered with a goal of their own before Makenzie Stroup retook the lead 2-1 with a goal assisted by Hannah Shuren. Mars Hill went on a run and scored three unanswered goals until Shuren found the back of the net to halt the run and cut the lead to 4-3. The Lions added two more to make it 6-3 after the first quarter.

Gallagher opened the scoring in the second quarter on a free position shot just 48 seconds in. Mars Hill controlled play in the quarter however, as they put six goals in the Cobra net. Makenzie Stroup added one more Coker goal before the halftime break to make the score 12-5. Coker came out firing in the second stanza, as Annabelle Chuilli, Gallagher, and Shuren combined for four consecutive goals to trim the deficit to 12-9. The Lions ramped up their defense in response and shut the Cobra offense out in the rest of the half to take the decision 16-9.

Gallagher's hat trick led the offensive effort for Coker, while Stroup and Shuren each had two and Chuilli and Gross had a goal apiece. Shuren also contributed a trio of assists on the night along with one from Olivia Fladung and one from Gallagher. Abby Kellner recorded 13 saves in net for the Cobras in the losing effort.

Coker returns to action next Saturday (Apr. 9) when they travel to Greeneville, Tenn. to take on the Pioneers of Tusculum University. First draw is scheduled for 1pm, with live video and statistics available at www.cokercobras.com.