Cobras Take Season Opener over Shorter

ROME, GA.- Coker women's lacrosse got a season-opening victory in its first match of the 2016 season, beating Shorter 14-11.

Coker took a quick 1-0 lead when Haley McCusker struck within the first two minutes. The Hawks would respond with three consecutive goals, before Coker would get three of the last four in the first half. Back-to-back goals from Faith Kent less than three minutes apart tied the game, before Mackenzie Baker gave the road team the lead with 5:07 left in the half. Shorter would respond with a goal shortly after that, before Ashlynn Burgett cashed in on a man-up opportunity to put the Cobras up 5-4 at the half.

The visitors rode their momentum into the second half, scoring three of the first four goals in the frame. Haley McCusker netted another early goal, along with markers from Kent and Baker yet again. Kent would notch a hat trick on a free position shot with 17:41 remaining, and get her fourth marker of the contest with just under 12 minutes left. With the game tied at 10, Baker would find Kent for her fifth goal of the contest, putting Coker up by one. Kent would notch two more several minutes later, and Baker would put another home for a hat trick to seal the win.

Cassie Dodge (1-0) earned her first collegiate win, stopping eight shots in the game. 

The Cobras will take the field again on Mar. 6 when they travel to South Atlantic Conference foe Lenoir-Rhyne. The opening draw is set for 1:00 p.m.