COLUMBIA – Heartbreak for the second straight year at Hawkins Stadium.
The Fort Mill Yellow Jackets fell to Lucy Beckham Bengals 8-5 in the 5A Division II girls state lacrosse championship at Irmo High School on Saturday, May 3.
“We are a really young team and they have never been in a situation like this,” said Fort Mill head coach Kirsten Terry. “Getting them in here and giving them experience, I feel like we will be back.”
After a two-and-a-half-hour weather delay, Fort Mill and Lucy Beckham started with the Bengals controlling possession early on and scoring a little after three minutes into the match.
The Jackets had early chances to score but came up short. Fort Mill struggled with turnovers in the opening quarter.
Lucy Beckham doubled their lead scoring with five minutes left in the first quarter to go up 2-0. The Bengals were patient on offense and took advantage of the lead.
Fort Mill’s Mallory Hitch was finally able to break through the Bengals’ defense to score with about two minutes left in the opening period.
Lucy Beckham opened the second quarter scoring about two minutes into play. The Jackets struggled on offense turning the ball over, which led to Bengals goals.
Fort Mill was able to cut a 4-1 game in half with a goal from Cece Shia at 7:34 left in the half.
The Bengals found themselves again controlling possession and dropped in three more goals before the half.
With scoring slowed to start the second half, the Bengals scored first about four minutes into the third quarter, but Molly Bennett and Shia cut Lucy Beckham’s lead in half with back-to-back goals.
Fort Mill trailed 8-4 to open the fourth quarter. The Bengals controlled possession for much of the quarter, despite both teams scoring in the first eight minutes of the quarter. Shia scored with 28.5 seconds left for the only goal of the quarter and her third of the game.
Fort Mill finished the season at 9-8.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
