MACON, Ga. – To begin Big South play, the Wofford College women's lacrosse team was defeated 22-8 by Mercer at Five Star Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Bears had a 5-4 lead in the middle of the second quarter and then went on a 10-2 run to extend the lead to 15-6 at the end of the third quarter on the way to the win.   
 
Emma Stalteri led the Terriers with three goals, while Bria Foley added a pair. Carley Irvin, Christina Mallon, and Mia Leon each added a goal. Ella Smithers had nine saves in the game, along with a team-high four ground balls. Wofford had six caused turnovers, including two each by Olivia Graebner and Brooke Meltcher. Bria Foley led the team with five draw controls.
 
The Bears scored the first goal of the game at the 12:37 mark, but Emma Stalteri was able to tie the game four minutes later. Back-to-back goals less than a minute apart put the Bears up 3-1 with 6:45 left in the quarter. Mia Leon got the Terriers back within one with a goal with 3:34 on the clock, but the Bears scored twice in the final minute to take a 5-2 lead at the end of the quarter.
 
Carley Irvin found Bria Foley alone in front of the net for a goal and then Foley added another goal just 40 seconds later to make it a 5-4 game with 11:21 on the clock in the second quarter. The Bears scored the next four goals to extend the lead to 9-4 with 4:13 remaining in the first half. Emma Stalteri ended the run with a goal at the 3:12 mark to cut the lead to 9-5. After another goal by the Bears, they took a 10-5 lead into the halftime break.
 
Mercer scored the first five goals of the second half to increase the advantage to 15-5 at the 5:49 mark. Emma Stalteri had a free position goal with 3:10 left in the third quarter to make it a 15-6 game. The Bears scored the first goal of the fourth quarter on a free position shot for a 16-6 lead with 13:07 remaining in the game. They added four more goals for a 20-6 advantage with 7:30 left on the clock. Carley Irvin found the back of the net for the Terriers with 3:57 remaining for a 20-7 game. A free position goal by Christina Mallon made it 20-8 with 3:22 left in the game. The Bears added two late goals for the 22-8 final margin.
 
Two Terriers reached milestones in the game as Barrett Rowe now has 101 career ground balls and Ella Smithers reached 304 career saves.
 
Mercer, the defending Big South champions, are 4-6 overall and 1-0 in league play. The Bears were led by Caroline Glus with four goals and Gabby Brisbin with four goals.
 
Wofford (3-7, 0-1) has completed their five-game road trip and will be back at home on Wednesday, April 2, against Furman.