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Score: Kennesaw State 15, Winthrop 14
Records: Kennesaw State (1-2, 0-0), Winthrop (2-2, 0-0)
Key Players: Siena Gore (8 goals, 2 assts, 4 DCs, 4 GBs, 3 CTs), Marissa Gore 3 goals, 5 DCs, 4 GBs, 2 CTs), Julia Weiss (12 saves, 1 GB), Natalie Welch (2 goals), Mia MacKenzie (1 goal, 1 GB, 1 CT, 1 DC), Jaxsyn Schonewille (1 goal, 1 DC) and Carson Pearson (2 GBs, 2 CTs)
 
THE STORYLINE 
Natalie Welch's last minute goal shut down the Winthrop comeback attempt and gave the Kennesaw State women's lacrosse team its first win of the season, edging the Eagles 15-14 Saturday afternoon. Siena Gore powered the Owls' offense with a career-high eight goals while adding two assists, four ground balls, four draw controls and three caused turnovers.

MANESS QUOTES
On earning the win...
"I am so proud of our team earning the first win of the season. We emphasized in our scout the importance of winning the ground balls and hustle plays. The offense had a great first half, but went into a brief slump in the second half. I'm proud of our defenders and Julia Weiss making plays to keep giving us opportunities. Offensively, the Gores both put up huge numbers, and to seal the deal with Caroline Farley hitting Natalie Welch for the game winner was huge!

On Winthrop's second half switches...
"Winthrop did a good job switching into different defenses. We need to be better able to adjust our offensive sets, this is something we will work on to better prepare for our next game."

HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a back-and-forth start as the teams traded goals with Siena Gore netting both of the Owls goals early to keep the game locked at 2-2 five minutes in. Siena Gore eventually earned her hat trick as both teams traded goals before back-to-back goals from Jaxsyn Schonewille and Marissa Gore pushed the Owls in front 5-3.

The Owls kept their foot on the gas, pushing their lead to 9-4 behind four straight goals from Marissa and Siena Gore, Natalie Welch and Mia Mackenzie, the first of her career. The Eagles responded with two goals less than 30 seconds apart to cut the lead to 9-6, but the Gores had an answer of their own each netting a goal to give Marissa Gore a hat trick.

It was a whirlwind final three minutes as Siena and Marissa Gore each netted a goal before Winthrop's Savanah Paton recorded back-to-back goals just 40 seconds apart. Siena Gore logged one more goal before the halftime whistle, converting a free position attempt with no time left on the clock to give her six goals in the half and put the Owls up 12-8.

The Owls were strong across the field in the opening period as Julia Weiss collected six saves while the Owls caused five turnovers and scooped up 10 ground balls compared to two for Winthrop.

The Eagles flipped the script in the second half, tying the game after going on a 4-0 run following a goal from Siena Gore to make it 13-13 at the 12:16 mark. Winthrop eventually pulled in front 14-13 with 7:29 left in the game before Siena Gore ended the drought for KSU to put both teams back on level terms 14-14.

The final three minutes were hotly contested as both teams tried to gain the edge. KSU recorded two shots with Winthrop's Sara McGuire, who entered just before the end of the first half, saving one while the Eagles earned two free position shots, both going wide. Welch finally broke through netting her second goal off the feed from Caroline Farley to give the Owls the lead 15-14 with one minute to play. Winthrop attempted to tie it back up in the final seconds but could only manage one shot which flew high of the net.

NOTES
- Siena Gore's eight goals and 10 points are tied for the most in a single-game in program history.
- Marissa Gore netted her second hat trick of the season, eighth of her career.
- This was Natalie Welch's first multi-goal game of her career.
- The Owls logged their second game this season with double-digit caused turnovers, recording 10.
- Carson Pearson recorded a career-high two caused turnovers.
- KSU was a perfect 14-for-14 on clearance attempts.
- Julia Weiss logged a career-high 12 saves, her first career game with 10 or more saves.
- KSU recorded a season-high 16 ground balls.
- Winthrop recorded 20 shots in the second half compared to nine for KSU.

UP NEXT
The Owls continue their road trip next Wednesday (Mar. 10) taking on Vanderbilt at 2 p.m. ET.