WISE, Va. | Young Harris College broke open a close game at halftime with nine second half goals as the Mountain Lions defeated the University of Virginia's College at Wise 14-6 in a non-conference women's lacrosse match Saturday (March 19) at Smith Stadium.
                                                          
The Mountain Lions improved to 6-4 while the Cavaliers slipped to 4-2. Young Harris returns to action Saturday (March 26) when they host Chowan University in a 1 p.m. match at the YHC Soccer and Lacrosse Field.
 
With Young Harris leading 5-3 at the half, the Mountain Lions took control of the match by scoring the first four goals – two by Erica Cross and one each by Nicole Kernohan and Rachel Lepine – as Young Harris led 9-3 with 20:39 remaining.
 
UVA-Wise scored two of the next three goals, but the Mountain Lions quelled the rally by the reeling off the next four goals – two by Kendra Parenteau and one each from Taylor Lincoln and Lepine – to open a 14-5 lead with 25 seconds left.
 
Cross led the Mountain Lions, who outshot UVA-Wise 38-20, with four goals while Lepine added three. Nicole Kernohan, Parenteau and Lincoln tallied two scores each while Jaclyn Kernohan accounted for the other YHC goal.  Cross led Young Harris with two assists while Sarah Bialecki, Nicole Kernohan, Lepine and Katie McNutt had one apiece.
 
Meghan Tonnesen led YHC with four draw controls while Lepine had three. Lepine and Maddie Peek each scooped up five ground balls for Young Harris, which had 36 overall. Kaylynn Roach and Nicole Kernohan added four ground balls while Elli Flaig and Anna Lummus had three apiece.
 
Goalie Julia Darroch picked up six saves in the win for the Mountain Lions.