Cobras Top Valkyries on Road Tuesday Night

By: Jake Miller

SPARTANBURG, S.C.- Coker women's lacrosse defeated Converse 15-7 on Tuesday (Apr. 18) in non-conference action. 

The two teams played a defensive first half, which did not seem likely after Haley McCusker got the Cobras on the board just 38 seconds into the game. After the home team responded, Coker scored two in a row from McCusker and Faith Kent to give the visitors a 3-1 lead. Converse would get within one yet again, before Marabeth Durden got on the scoresheet coutesy of Kent's second helper of the contest. After Converse got the game to within one at 4-3, the Cobras scored four in a row, spanning the last 10 minutes of the first half into the first minute of the second half. It was Durden, followed by back-to-back markers from Claudia Jenkins to end the half with Coker leading 7-3. McCusker started the second half just like she did the first, scoring just 28 seconds into the frame.

The Cobras scored seven more times in the second half after the quick McCusker tally, with three coming off the stick of Durden. Mackenzie Baker, Jenkins, McCusker and Kent also scored in the frame for the Cobras.

Durden led the scoring effort with five goals in the contest, while McCusker scored four goals and Jenkins notched a hat trick. Kent found the back of the net twice, while Baker added one goal. Kent also dished out a team-high five assists, with one helper from Durden as well. The Cobras scooped up 23 ground balls, with Kaitlyn Kimball collecting a team-high five and also causing a team-high five turnovers. Coker also won the draw control battle 19-5, with Durden recording a team-high nine. Cassie Williams (12-4) made five saves in the win.

The Cobras (12-4, 5-2 SAC) come home on Saturday (Apr. 22) when they host Lincoln Memorial for Senior Day. Coker will honor its six seniors prior to the game. Opening draw is set for 1:00 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.