Women's Lacrosse: Strong fourth-quarter lifts Muskies over Bison

NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Bethany women's lacrosse team hit the road and took on Muskingum. The first three quarters saw the sides trade goal-for-goal, but the Muskies used a four-goal fourth quarter to lift their way past Bethany.

Muskingum struck for the opening three goals of the game, including one in which they were a woman down. The Bison fought their way back to within a goal as Cassidy Mailloux got the Green and White on the board for her 21st goal of the season. Joanna Melita then tacked on her fourth of the year just over three minutes later.

The Muskies pulled ahead by two just 43 seconds into the second quarter. Alexa Taylor posted her seventh goal of the season just 31 seconds later. Exactly 45 seconds after Taylor scored, Abbie Carpenter knotted the game up 4-4 with her eighth of the year. Muskingum then took advantage of a woman-up opportunity and regained the lead. Cassidy Mailloux tacked on goal number 22 of her senior year with just under five minutes to go in the first half. Shortly after, the Muskies took the lead back and carried it into halftime.

A better start to the second half didn't exactly go as planned for the Bison as the hosts found the back of the net twice to get the third quarter underway. Scoring was rather bleak for the Green and White until Jada Carter finally got Bethany within two for her ninth goal of her freshman season. Muskingum got back within two shortly before the quarter came to end.

Muskingum proceeded to add the first three goals of the fourth quarter which put the game out of reach. Carpenter scored her second of the game and ninth of the season with just under eight minutes to go. The Muskies would add an insurance goal in the final two minutes.

Leah Crihfield made seven saves while suffering the loss. Madison Wagoner came on for the final nine-and-a-half minutes and made one save.

The Bison are back in action this Saturday when they travel to take on Wittenberg at 12 p.m.