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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State women's lacrosse battled until the final moments but came up just short in a 10-9 loss against Lindenwood on Wednesday night at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium.
KEY PLAYERS: Lexi Tinker led the Owls with a multi-goal performance (two goals) and an assist, including a fourth-quarter strike that brought her season total to 29. Marleigh Belinfanti recorded a goal and an assist, highlighted by her late woman-down score that cut the edge to one in the final two minutes. Jordyn Olivo contributed a goal and an assist in the opening quarter, while Natalie Charyak added a crucial fourth quarter goal to tie the game. Caleigh Shore also converted on a woman-up opportunity in the second quarter, and Cohen Ridenour found the net late in the third.
THE RUNDOWN: The Owls opened the scoring as Lavona Watkins found the net at 12:54 in the first quarter. Lindenwood answered to tie the game, but KSU responded quickly with a woman-up goal from Tinker followed by an unassisted score from Olivo to take a 3-1 lead. The Lions added one more before the end of the quarter to make it 3-2.
KSU created separation in the second quarter as Shore converted on a woman-up opportunity off a Tinker assist. After a Lindenwood goal cut the lead to one, Belinfanti finished a pass from Olivo with 3:38 remaining to push the advantage to 5-3. Lindenwood struck once more before halftime, sending the teams into the break with the Owls leading 5-4.
Lindenwood carried its momentum into the third quarter, opening with three consecutive goals to take a 7-5 lead. The Owls responded late in the period when Ridenour scored off an assist from Belinfanti with 1:21 remaining, trimming the deficit to 7-6 heading into the fourth.
The Lions extended their lead early in the fourth quarter with a woman-up goal to make it 8-6. Tinker answered with a woman-up score at 10:10, and Natalie Charyak followed with a goal off a Tinker assist to tie the game at 8-8. Lindenwood regained control with back-to-back goals, including a late woman-up score, to go ahead 10-8. Belinfanti scored the final goal of the game with 1:37 remaining, but the Owls were unable to find the equalizer in the final seconds, falling 10-9.
POSTGAME QUOTES – HEAD COACH LAURA MANESS
"I think our team came with a lot of fight. It was not our cleanest game, and credit to Lindenwood for controlling the tempo in the fourth quarter. Still, our players showed up in big moments and put us in a position to win. That resilience is something we will carry forward as we prepare for our next game."
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls return to action on April 2 in Jacksonville at 4 p.m. against Jacksonville University.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness, and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
