SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College women's lacrosse team was defeated 21-13 by Mercer on Wednesday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. After a high-scoring first quarter with eleven total goals, the Bears took an 11-6 lead at the half. The Terriers would cut the lead to 12-9 in the third quarter, but Mercer outscored Wofford 9-4 in the final twenty minutes to secure the win.
 
Wofford (6-9, 3-4) was led by Bria Foley with four goals and three assists for seven points, while Carley Irvin had three goals and three assists for six points. Both Foley and Emma Stalteri broke the Wofford single season goal record, with Stalteri ending the day with 40 for the new mark. Vivian Chiomento and Bria Foley each had four draw controls, while Barrett Rowe had seven ground balls. Four players caused two turnovers each. Ella Smithers had her fifth game of the season with ten or more saves.
 
The Terriers scored first with a goal by Carley Irvin and they had a 2-1 lead after a goal by Bria Foley four minutes into the game. Mercer scored the next four goals for a 5-2 advantage with 6:55 on the clock. Wofford then had back-to-back goals from Emma Stalteri and Carley Irvin to cut the lead to 5-4 at the 4:31 mark. The Bears scored the next three goals for an 8-4 lead a minute into the second quarter. After Wofford and Mercer traded goals in less than a minute for a 9-5 score, neither team could find the net for nearly eight minutes. In the final 2:30 of the first half, Mercer scored twice and Wofford had a goal by Bria Foley for a 11-6 score at the break.
 
In the third quarter, Mercer opened the scoring, but then Wofford had a pair goal goals by Bria Foley and one by Carlie Cutinella to cut the lead to 12-9 with 7:14 on the clock. The Bears responded with two goals and then Emma Stalteri scored for the Terriers. Two more Mercer goals gave them a 16-10 lead at the end of the third quarter.
 
Wofford opened the fourth quarter with a goal by Carlie Cutinella, but Mercer answered with three straight goals for a 19-11 lead with 4:34 remaining. Emma Stalteri added a goal with 3:29 left on the clock, but Mercer added two more goals. Carlie Cutinella closed out the scoring with a Wofford with 30 seconds remaining for the 21-13 final score.
 
Mercer is 11-5 overall this season and 7-0 in the Big South, as they have secured the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament. They were led by Gabby DiVirgillio with four goals and three assists, along with Maddi Koury with three goals and four assists.
 
Wofford will play the final home game of the season on Saturday, April 27, against Presbyterian College.