ST. PAUL, Minn. — Division III No. 5-ranked the University of La Verne built an early lead and never looked back in storming past Carthage College, 22-9, at the Leonard Natatorium on the final day of the 2020 Macalester College Invitational.
The Leopards struck first with three goals in the opening quarter before the Lady Reds put in a goal of their own from Morgan Fingerson. After La Verne tallied two more goals, Megan Cales scored the second goal for Carthage. The Leopards would take a 6-2 lead into the second quarter of play. Kayli Sayatovic found the back of the net at the seven minute mark to make the score 6-3. Both teams tallied a goal to flip the score to 7-4 until La Verne added four unanswered goals extending the lead. A goal from Cales cut the deficit to six, but La Verne headed to the third quarter with a 15-5 margin.
Two goals from Cales and Sayatovic shrank the deficit to nine, but La Verne held a 20-7 scoreboard advantage heading into the concluding quarter of play.
Although the Lady Reds tacked on goals from Arianna Dakuras and Meghan Fisher over the final eight minutes of action, La Verne held on for the 22-9 victory.
“La Verne is a very well coached and balanced team with loads of weapons,” stated head coach Ryan Castle.
“We were able to compete in certain aspects with them, particularly from Morgan Fingerson and Megan Cales on the offensive end. Emma Jeronimus once again was outstanding in the cage, and also contributed in the field for us. Overall it was a good first weekend for us, and lots to improve upon this week.”
Jeronimus made seven goal saves, including one five-meter penalty shot. Jeronimus also made her first appearance in the field recording one assist, three steals, one ejection drawn and a field block.
Cales finished with four goals, one assist and with one ejection drawn to wrap-up the Lady Reds’ opening weekend with 17 goals over three games. Fingerson registered a goal, an assist and two steals versus La Verne.
Information courtesy Carthage College Athletics Communications
