Reese Morgenthaler scored seven goals, but the Virginia Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team (4-3) fell to Nichols College, 13-9.
Virginia Wesleyan opened the game with a strong first quarter, scoring six times to take a 6-3 lead after the opening 15 minutes. Morgenthaler sparked the early run, scoring four goals in the period. She opened the scoring at the 12:50 mark before Creelyn Bastinelli added another less than a minute later to give the Marlins a quick 2-0 lead. After Nichols tied the game at 2-2, Morgenthaler responded with consecutive goals to push Virginia Wesleyan back in front. Kenna Duplechin added a man-up goal off a pass from Morgenthaler, and Morgenthaler closed the quarter with her fourth goal to make it 6-3.
Nichols answered in the second quarter, scoring five times while holding the Marlins to one goal. Morgenthaler scored again with 1:24 remaining in the half, but Virginia Wesleyan trailed 8-7 at the break.
The visitors added three goals in the third quarter to extend the lead to four. Morgenthaler scored on a free-position opportunity late in the quarter to bring the Marlins within 11-8 heading into the final period.
Nichols added two more goals in the fourth quarter before Morgenthaler recorded her seventh goal of the afternoon with just over two minutes remaining to make the final score 13-9.
Morgenthaler finished with seven goals and an assist to lead the Marlins offensively. Bastinelli and Duplechin each added a goal. Haley Wise led Virginia Wesleyan defensively with four ground balls and four caused turnovers, while goalkeeper Melissa Dolt made nine saves.
