Harrogate, TN

The Lady Railsplitters returned home this week to take on the Florida Tech Panthers. After falling to two Florida teams this past weekend, they came out on top against the Panthers in a thrilling 17-16 win.


The Panthers first found the back of the net with two goals to make it a quick 2-0. Ali Van Der Ziel was able to stop that run with her first goal of the game. Shortly after, the Panthers struck again, making it 3-1. However, LMU's Kelly Csenar got back-to-back goals within almost 15 seconds of one another to tie it up 3-3. Freshman Kayla Harrington then found herself a goal to get the Railsplitter's first lead of the game. Kelly Csenar then got her first hat trick of the year with an assist from Chandler Bell to get them up by two goals. The Panthers were able to scramble their way back in the first quarter to try and make the score close. Ali Van Der Ziel got herself another goal to make the score 6-5 at the end of the first quarter.

The Panthers wasted no time trying to get on the board first in the second, getting two goals to tie it up and then getting up by one. Freshman Josie Tinnerello found herself a goal with an assist by Ali Van Der Ziel. A minute later, Van Der Ziel would find herself a hat trick making it 8-7. Florida Tech then went on a 3-0 run to get up by two before Ryann Doyle stopped the run with a goal and an assist from Sierra Landsman. The Panthers got three more goals before the half making it 14-9.

Though the Panther's came out with a goal first, LMU's defense was able to adjust quickly with great stops by Mary Kostus, Delaney Duck, Sage Leax, and goalkeeper Keegan Gillman. Kelly Csenar found her fourth goal of the game, getting the Railsplitters back in it. Jamie Small then got herself a goal with an assist from Chandler Bell. Bell then assisted Tinnerello, who found her second goal of the game. The Railsplitters found their groove in the third quarter, getting a 5-0 run with goals from Csenar, Bell, Harrington to tie the score up at 15-15.

Ali Van Der Ziel and Camdyn Bullard were the only two to score in the fourth quarter, and it was just enough to clinch the win.

Notables:
Kelly Csenar led with five goals and four ground balls.
Ali Van Der Ziel had four goals.
Josie Tinnerello and Kayla Harrington each had two goals.
Chandler Bell, Ryann Doyle, Camdyn Bullard, and Jamie Small each had one goal.
Keegan Gillman had eight saves in goal, getting the win.

The Lady Railsplitters will return home at the LMU Lacrosse Complex to open SAC play against UVA-Wise on Wednesday, March 1st, at 3 pm.