GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Radford women's lacrosse team fell 12-6 to the Furman Paladins on Wednesday. Despite the final margin, the Highlanders were in the game most of the way before the Paladins found some offense in the fourth quarter to pull away.
 
It was a low-scoring defensive affair in the first quarter as neither team was able to find much offense. Grace Gleason scored on a tap-in goal after a great feed from Carlie Rosenburg to open the scoring for the Highlanders in a 3-1 opening period.
 
Linley Tirrell's relentless attack then earned her a free position shot, which she made use of to cut into the lead early in the second quarter. After conceding a goal with just 36 seconds left in the first half, the Highlanders were able to find an answer as Molly O'Brien took the draw control, sprinted up field and fed Margaret Gleason who fired a rocket in to the corner of the net to make it a 6-3 game going into halftime.
 
The Highlanders won the draw to open the second half and after some passing the ball found the stick of Molly O'Brien, who wheeled around the right side of the 12-meter fan all by herself to fire home a goal. Despite some solid chances, O'Brien's goal was the only tally in the third for the Highlanders, but a stout defensive showing held the margin at three entering the final period. Olivia Hunter made a strong save just before the horn to hold the Paladins to their one goal in the quarter.
 
It was not until the fourth quarter that the game got away from Radford. The Highlanders were unable to find paydirt until 4:59 left in the game when O'Brien struck again from a tough angle to cut into the margin. Jessica Diorio scored the final goal for the Highlanders to bring the Highlanders to their final total with just over a minute to play.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Highlanders return home for Senior Day and a game with High Point on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
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