LAKE WALES, Fla. - The Malone University women's lacrosse team defeated St. Thomas University by a score of 15-9. The Pioneers are back in the win column after the neutral site win at 4-1 overall while the Bobcats, who are receiving votes in the NAIA national poll, fall to 2-5.
 
Malone fell behind early and faced a 4-2 deficit through one quarter of play. Cam English and Emma Weintz had one goal each in the opening minutes, but nearly a full quarter of time ran off the clock between scores to put the Pioneers in a hole.
 
Down 6-2 early in the second, Ashtyn Praeter rattled off three straight goals to help get Malone back to within one. The Bobcats and Pioneers traded goals in the final three minutes of the first half, with Abbey Burns assisting Weintz on the final tally for Malone in the 7-6 first half total.
 
The Pioneers were in total control of the second half. They won the third quarter 3-1 and dominated the fourth quarter scoring, 7-1. The defense held St. Thomas without a goal until less than one minute left in the third quarter. Malone built upon their 9-8 lead in the fourth quarter after Olivia Marcantonio netted three in the period. Meg Ridgway and Alana Samek scored their first goals of the game in the fourth quarter as well in the 15-9 win.
 
22 of the team's 29 shots were on-goal and the Pioneers picked up 19 groundballs to the Bobcats' nine. Neither team made the most of free-position opportunities as Malone was 1-of-4 and St. Thomas 3-of-10.
 
Praeter led the team with four goals and Burns had the most points on the day, all coming on assists (five). Weintz brought in seven draw controls to pace the Pioneers. Sarah Bricker caused a team-high two turnovers and Regan Blythe secured four ground balls. Goalkeeper Sydney Atkinson (4-1) made six saves.
 
Malone takes on Warner University on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00 P.M. for the team's next game.