Close Road Loss for Eagles at Life

David Finney

Marietta, GA - The Eagles would have their first road game of this season just down the road at Life University. Life has a very talented and competitive Women's Lacrosse program so this would be a good test for the Eagles who are 2-0 in the early season. There is no doubt that Reinhardt can score because they have put up great numbers so far this season and the offense is coming from several different players. The question would be can they continue to score and hold a team down who has some firepower of their own.

The first quarter would start close and stay this way the entire game. This was two balanced teams competing against each other and it would have the feel of whichever had the final opportunity was going to come out on the other side as the winner. Life would be the first to score in the first quarter, however, it was answered quickly on an unassisted goal from Alyssa Klinger. The senior from Fayetteville, GA would be one of the leaders in the game for scoring as she would have 4 goals from 10 shots taken. She would be joined by Jillian Mello would also score in the first quarter (twice) and had 4 goals in the game on 5 shots taken.

The scoring was back and forth in the first quarter with Life leading most of the way, however, the Eagles would tie the game at four-all with about three minutes left in the quarter on one of Mello's goals. Shelby O'Neil and Morgan McGhee would also score in the first quarter which would end with the Eagles down by one, 5-6.

The second quarter would see the scoring slow a bit as only three goals were scored in the quarter. Mello would have the only goal for the Eagles in the second. At the halftime break, Life would have the 8-6 edge on the Eagles - but they still had an entire half to defend against a team that can rattle off goals very fast.

The third quarter would see the first significant lead in the game when Life scored the first two goals in the first three minutes of the quarter. Life would take a 10-6 lead for the early part of the third, but Reinhardt would answer back with a run of their own and tie the game at 10 each. Klinger and O'Neil would lead the way in scoring during the comeback and they would be assisted by McGee for the goals. The Eagles outscored Life in this quarter, 4-3,  but Life would still have a one-point lead, 11-10.

The fourth quarter would be the showdown between these two talented programs to see which one would take the win. Life would strike first scoring around the ten-minute mark and giving themselves a two-point lead. The combination of Morgan McGhee to Jillian Mello would come into play for two goals in the fourth in a span of about thirty seconds. Around the seven-minute mark, Jillian Mello was able to put two in the goal to tie the game at 12 each.  The game would become a tight defensive battle from this point on and the fans were treated to a great finale. 

Around the four-minute mark, Life would finally get one past the Reinhardt defense and that would be the deciding factor. It was a 13 to 12 loss for the Eagles, however, it was a good experience for them as they played someone that is close to them in talent and skill. It is good to see two successful programs battle like this and it can only help each team improve as they face tough competition the rest of the way and into the playoffs.

The Eagles have no time to rest as they will be back in action on Monday back on the campus of Reinhardt. Siena Heights will be visiting on Monday for a 5 pm start. The Eagles will look to bounce back with a victory to get back on their winning ways.