Women’s lacrosse took down High Point University to win their fourth-straight Big South Championship title on Sunday, beating the Panthers, 16-8. The team is now on their way to their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance after finishing the season with a 12-7 record, including a 7-1 record against Big South opponents.
Mercer’s goalie Kayla Casey '25 was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament after making 12 saves in the title match and holding High Point to just eight goals on 31 total shots in the game.
On top of Casey's heroics, the Bears' defense held High Point's offense to their second-fewest goals of the season. Only No. 23 Duke University withstood the Panthers' attack better than the Bears, whose offense was streaky throughout the game. On five separate occasions, Mercer found the back of the net twice within two minutes.
Attackers Sofia D’Angelo ‘26, Caroline Glus ‘26, Sami Lowinger ‘25 and midfielder Ansley Walters ‘27 were the top scorers of the game.
D’Angelo, Glus, Casey and midfielder Sarah Leahy ‘25 were each named to the Big South All-Tournament Team after the game.
Both teams got off to a slow start, as the first quarter was heavy on defense, but High Point jumped ahead nine minutes into the game. Mercer pressed through, though, a minute later and Glus scored twice to put the Bears ahead at the end by the first quarter. Five different players for Mercer scored a point in the second quarter while High Point answered with three goals of its own, and the Bears headed into halftime with a 10-5 advantage.
Lowinger and Walters opened the third quarter with goals of their own, and Lowinger scored once more in the quarter while Casey and Mercer's defense shut out the High Point offense in the third quarter.
High Point scored three times in the fourth quarter to threaten a comeback, but Mercer answered with two more goals to close out the game.
The Bears will take on No. 4 University of Florida in Gainesville, Fl. on Friday, May 9 in the first round of the NCAA tournament. In March, Mercer hosted the then-No. 6 Gators at Five Star Stadium, falling 22-9.
Nevaeh Wilson '28 is majoring in Journalism and minoring in Film Studies. She has been writing for The Cluster since her freshman year, and has worked for Mercer's ESPN studio. She enjoys watching college and professional sporting events.
