ROCK HILL, S.C. – Led by seven goals from Big South-leading scorer Nicole Beatson, Winthrop used an 11-goal second half to erase what was a 9-6 deficit and down the Longwood women's lacrosse team 20-13 Saturday afternoon to open conference play.

Despite another seven-assist performance from the nation's best passer Riley Dolan, Longwood (5-6, 0-1 Big South) was unable to stay with the potent Winthrop (8-3, 1-0 Big South) attack Saturday afternoon.

Beatson's seven-goal performance gave her 54 tallies on the season to lead both Winthrop and the Big South.

"I thought the team gave a hearty effort in the first half, but unfortunately, we just didn't have the personnel and experience today on defense to sustain consistent defensive stands throughout the game, especially in the second half" said sixth-year head coach Elaine Jones. "We also didn't match Winthrop's intensity enough on their Senior Day and we allowed their scorers to get comfortable with multiple open looks on goal, which led to successive goals."

Dolan's seven-assist day highlighted the Lancer offense that got hat tricks from the trio of Dolan, Lexi Davis and Kaitlin Luccarelli – her team-leading 24th tally. Saturday's prolific passing display gives Dolan 36 assists on the season as her three goals also made it two 10-point performances for the senior.

Davis also added an assist for a four-point day and the tandem of Molly Barkman and Charleigh Kondas each scored twice, but it was the home Eagles who used Beatson's Herculean effort and four-goal days from Katie Clark and Allie Yeager to outduel a shorthanded Longwood team that was without senior leaders Madison Stair and Hollyn Royster - two seniors that have been key to the Lancers' transition defense this season.

Saturday's loss ended Longwood's two-game win streak while Winthrop pushed their streak to seven-straight, tops in the Big South.

Dolan extended her lead for most points on the team (59) as she has accounted for 36 of Longwood's 80 assists, 59 of the team's 206 points and 23 of the team's 126 goals. The senior from Northfield, N.J. has been nothing short of an offensive superhero in her final season in a Lancer uniform as she's on pace to smash the all-time single-season assists record of 51 held by former great Lauren Prasnicki.

Between the pipes, senior goalkeeper Imani West collected nine saves across the full 60 minutes, giving her 122 on the season – second-most in the country.

Longwood returns home for two-straight Big South contests as they take on Radford Wednesday afternoon before welcoming in Gardner-Webb Saturday. Wednesday's contest with the Highlanders can be seen on the Big South Network. First draw is set for 4 p.m. from Elizabeth Burger Jackson Field.

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