BELMONT, N.C. – The Converse College (2-3, 2-1 CC) lacrosse team dropped a 16-4 decision to Belmont Abbey (4-4, 2-1 CC) on Wednesday evening at Alumni Field. The Crusaders jumped out to a 9-1 halftime lead en route to the double-digit win.
Converse was presented a pair of opportunities early in the contest after earning two free positions, but was unable to find the back of the net. Belmont Abbey took full advantage of the misses, jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the contest's first 13 minutes.
Flore Samsi finally put Converse in the scoring column, beating the Abbey keeper at the 12:49 mark to put the Valkyries on the board for the first time. However, that would be the only goal of the opening 30 for the Valkyries, while Belmont Abbey tallied four more scores to send the game into the interval with the Crusaders leading 9-1.
After Abbey scored on its opening possession of the second half, Kat Goldfuss got her name in the books with a goal, cutting the deficit to 10-2 early in the final period. Sharlize Burgos followed that up two minutes later with back-to-back goals to help Converse continue to chip away at the BAC lead.
However, Belmont Abbey tallied the game's final six points to secure the 16-4 Conference Carolinas win.
Burgos led the Valkyries with two goals, while Samsi and K. Goldfuss added one goal each. Myka Jones played all 60 minutes in goal for the Purple and Gold, collecting team-highs with seven groundballs and four caused turnovers.
The Valkyries will return to action on Saturday, March 16, traveling to West Point, Ga. to face the Skyhawks of Point University. That contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.