GREENVILLE, S.C. – The fourth-seeded Furman women's lacrosse team looks to clinch a spot in the Big South Women's Lacrosse Championship game on Friday when it takes on No. 1 seed Mercer in the semifinals at 4 p.m. from Five Star Stadium in Macon, Ga.
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 (10-8) advanced to Friday's semifinal round following a 15-5 victory over Radford on Tuesday in the first round at Paladin Stadium. Furman held a 45-21 advantage in shots, 20-14 in ground balls, 13-8 in caused turnovers, and 17-5 in draws. The Paladins also forced Radford into 25 turnovers, marking the second time this season an opponent has committed 20 or more in a game. Furman's 45 shots were tied for third-most in a game in program history.
Lily Toole led all players with a game high five points after totaling four goals and one assist while adding three ground balls and one caused turnover.
Allie Kandel,
Shae Insinga, and
Reynolds Hester all finished with four points.
Lily Mosser came off the bench and posted a career high four points.
Skylar Hilmer, who caused a career best four turnovers, recorded seven draws and
Cate Noone six.
Rachel Sbei compiled a career best four ground balls. Goalie
Sailor Henderson picked up the win on five saves and one ground ball.
Mercer captured the Big South regular season championship after going 8-0 in conference play and enters the weekend with an 11-6 overall record. The Bears, who are riding an eight-game winning streak, are under the direction of 11
th-year head coach Samantha Eustace.
The Paladins are facing Mercer for the 16
th time in program history with the Bears holding an 8-7 lead in the all-time series. Mercer topped Furman in the first meeting this season, 13-6, on April 8 in Greenville.
The winner of Friday's matchup will advance to the finals on Sunday, May 3 and face either No. 2 seed High Point or No. 3 seed Wofford at 12 p.m. from Five Star Stadium.
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