Reinhardt's Postseason Life Ends Abruptly, 15-14

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Eagles couldn't overcome a slow start and a spirited Life (Ga.) squad on Wednesday in the quarterfinal round of the NAIA Women's Lacrosse National Championship, as the Running Eagles completed the upset, 15-14, at Memorial Stadium.

The season comes to a close for Reinhardt at 11-2.

"We could not get our usual team rhythm on offense and the draw," head coach Roy Reynolds said. "It cost us against a fired-up Life team. It's a disappointing end to a great season with three NAIA All-Americans, nine AAC All-Conference players, the AAC Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.

"We have a ton of talent coming in so we will reload not rebuild. I thank everybody for their support."

Life was able to storm out to a 3-0 lead in the first four-plus minutes before the hometown team got on the board compliments of Brook Villhauer at 22:44, which helped spark a 4-0 run in the next eight minutes to take a 4-3 advantage.

The Running Eagles would tie the score again shortly after – but gave up another tally (5-4) – before scoring two of the last three goals in the first half to go into the locker room tied at 6-6.

Life would again come out strong with back-to-back scores for an 8-6 lead early in the second period, but the Eagles claimed four-straight goals once more to soar to a 10-8 cushion. Reinhardt would then strengthen its hold on the outcome by claiming three of the next four netted shots for a 13-10 score with 9:36 remaining on the clock.

The six seed wouldn't back down, however, as it fought back one more time – earning four-consecutive goals in less than five minutes to regain the upper-hand. Amaya Garner would get the NAIA battle back to even (14-14) 30 seconds later, but it would be the last time the hometown squad would find the scoreboard.

The Running Eagles earned the winning tally with just over three minutes to go and kept the ball away from Reinhardt the rest of the way, until the final seconds, when a desperation shot from the Eagles went wide after a hard foul.

Morgan McGhee, a First Team NAIA All-American, led the way offensively with five goals and one assist to go with 14 draw controls.

Caroline Copenhaver – a Second Team NAIA All-American, added four scores as well.

Reinhardt scooped up only 15 ground balls and Jessie Landers made nine saves in the loss. 

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