SALISBURY, N.C. – The Virginia State University women's lacrosse team dropped a 13-7 decision to Catawba on Wednesday afternoon at Shuford Stadium.
Virginia State (3-8) saw a strong offensive effort led by Carea Tuck, who recorded a hat trick to pace the Trojans. Kayla Carroll-Williams, Nakiyah Jones, Sophia Toye, and Jhalin Hooks each added a goal in the contest.
The Trojans struck early in the first quarter, taking a 2-1 lead behind goals from Jones and Toye. However, Catawba responded with a late surge, closing the opening period on a 3-0 run to take a 4-2 advantage.
In the second quarter, Virginia State continued to battle, cutting into the deficit with a free-position goal from Carroll-Williams and a last-second score from Tuck to make it a 5-4 game heading into halftime.
The third quarter proved pivotal, as Catawba outscored the Trojans 4-2 to extend its lead. Despite goals from Tuck and Hooks that kept Virginia State within striking distance, the home team maintained control heading into the final period.
Catawba added four more goals in the fourth quarter to pull away, while Tuck netted her third goal of the game for the Trojans' lone score in the period.
Goalkeeper Ilyana Jones recorded 10 saves in net for Virginia State, facing a high-volume Catawba attack that produced 32 total shots.
