Belles Stung by Yellow Jackets
Saint Mary's Stories
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Saint Mary's lacrosse team came up short in a 9-5 final against Defiance on Wednesday.
The Belles jumped out to an early lead with the first two goals of the game. Cathy Baxter netted her first career goal with Aubrey Golembieski picking up an assist 5:15 into the game. Jackie Loesch added a goal of her own after converting a pass by Tess Guerrero five minutes later for the 2-0 Saint Mary's advantage.
After Defiance made it a 2-1 game less than a minute later, Lauren Telford picked up the first goal of her career to make it a 3-1 game in favor of the Belles with more than 18 minutes left on the clock in the first half.
The score remained unchanged until Defiance closed out the final nine minutes of the period with three goals, including one right before the end of the half, to take a 4-3 lead at the break.
Telford struck again for the Belles and tied up the game yet again just 36 seconds into the second half to knot the score at 4-4.
Defiance posted a pair of goals to regain a 6-4 lead with 18 minutes remaining in the contest. Aubrey Golembieski pulled Saint Mary's within a goal of the Yellow Jacket lead with less than 17 minutes left on the clock, but Defiance held the Belles comeback bid at bay while adding three more goals to take the 9-5 decision.
Stephanie Szymas made six saves in goal for the Belles.
Saint Mary's (0-4) returns to action on March 20 when they travel to Aurora for a 4:30 p.m. CST contest against the Spartans.