MARS HILL, N.C. – Four goals each from Olivia Hokanson and Kiersten Foust led Mars Hill to a 13-10 victory over Brevard in the women's lacrosse season opener for both teams.
Brevard's offense was led by the tandem of Nina Siu, who scored a game-high six goals, and Victoria Hayes, who finished with two.
Mars Hill grabbed the early 2-0 lead on a pair of goals by Hokanson in the first, but Siu took over for the Tornados as she singlehandedly netted two goals to force a two-all tie at the 24:58 mark. Foust and Molly Tobias forged the Lions back in front as they assisted each other on goals to provide Mars Hill with a 4-2 edge.
Siu again came through for the Tornados, driving home two unassisted goals over a 32 second span to make for a four-all contest. Hayes netted her first goal of the season for Brevard, who moved in front 5-4 at the 10:28 mark, ahead of Siu's final two goals of the contest as the Tornados extended their lead to 7-4 with 10:11 remaining in the first.
Foust scored two goals and Tobias netted an unassisted goal to pull the Lions even at seven as first half scoring closed.
Sophomore Macaiah Vacchiano opened second half scoring with a goal on a pass from Kelly Kearnan, but Mars Hill quickly answered with a score by Hokanson at the 26:02 mark, tying the game at nine. The Lions added goals by Rebecca Dallman, Victoria Eckard and Foust, assuming an 11-8 lead in the process.
Brevard retaliated with scores by Hayes and Kearnan, trimming the deficit to one, but two goals in the final 2:30 of the contest by Hokanson and Taylor Burgess provided Mars Hill with the victory.
Shelby Arsenault, who played all 60 minutes in net for Brevard, took the loss despite making 13 saves. Her counterpart, Alexandria Holleran, stopped nine Tornado shots on goal.
Scout Black handed out three assists for the Lions, while Tobias and Hokanson added two each. Hayes, Kearnan and Siu led the way in Brevard assists, handing out one each.
Brevard returns to the field on Tuesday, February 13th when the Tornados host the University of the Cumberlands at 6:00 p.m.