GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Furman women's lacrosse team begins its quest for a conference championship on Tuesday evening when it hosts the sixth-seeded Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs at Paladin Stadium in the first round of the Big South Women's Lacrosse Championship. Opening draw is set for 7 p.m.
Fans can follow the action on www.furmanpaladins.com via live stats. The game is being streamed via paid subscription on ESPN+. Updates will be posted on the Furman women's lacrosse Twitter page (@FUWlax).
The Paladins (13-3, 7-1 Big South) are the third seed for the Big South Women's Lacrosse Championship after clinching a share of the regular season title for the first time in program history on Saturday following a 22-9 Senior Day victory over Winthrop at Paladin Stadium. Furman outshot the Eagles 38-23 and held a 23-16 advantage in ground balls and 18-14 in draws. The Paladins forced Winthrop into 17 turnovers throughout the contest.
Ten different players scored in the victory for Furman led by
Anna Roser's eight points on five goals and three assists.
Lily Toole also finished with five goals while
Sofija Buzelis and
Paige Harman both had four points. Buzelis became the Paladins' single-season draws leader after compiling seven along with Harman.
Skylar Hilmer tied her career high of three goals.
Lilly Dyer picked up a career high four ground balls and
Andrea Fisher caused two turnovers.
Goalies
Madigan Brewer and
Sailor Henderson combined for seven saves. Brewer improved to 10-0 in goal after contributing two ground balls.
Gardner-Webb enters the postseason with a 3-13 overall record and finished the regular season 3-5 in league play after defeating Radford in the regular season finale this past Saturday, 13-10. The Runnin' Bulldogs are under the direction of interim head coach Chris Harris.
Furman and Gardner-Webb are meeting for the ninth time in program history with the Paladins having won each of the past eight matchups. The Paladins opened conference play on March 26 with a 15-5 victory over the Runnin' Bulldogs in Greenville.
The winner of Tuesday's first round matchup will advance to the semifinals on Friday, May 2 and face second-seeded High Point at 7 p.m. from Mercer's Five Star Stadium in Macon, Ga.
