The Panthers LAX season has been filled with ups and downs, as they are 4-7 overall and 2-5 in conference play.
The Panthers opened their season with a loss to the No. 4 ranked Washington & Lee but bounced back with a 20-0 win over Trinity Washington.
That win was the first career victory for Head Coach Carly Coyle.
The team followed that up with defeating Warren Wilson 20-4 behind Sophomore Micaiyah Dickerson’s 7 point effort, including 5 goals, while Freshman Lana Barkovic added 5 goals and 2 assists. Sophomore Caroline Moore and Junior Ashtyn Bishop also had input as she scored 3 goals in the victory.
After that, the Panthers hit a rough patch by dropping 5 consecutive conference games.
Versus Emory & Henry, the Panthers built a 6-2 lead before the Wasps came back, soring 7 of the final eight goals to win 9-7. Despite the loss, Dickerson had three points and Barkovic and Sophomore Maggie Cass scored 2 goals each.
The Panthers lost 21-1 to Bridgewater, with Bishop scoring the only goal for the panthers.
In the game against Lynchburg, Barkovic scored both of the Panthers goals as they lost 18-2.
The Panthers played Virginia Wesleyan, taking a 3-2 lead in the second quarter, but Virginia Wesleyan went on a 6-0 run to win 8-3.
Senior Makaila Veney had 8 turnovers, ground balls and 5 draw controls.
Against #17 Roanoke, the Panthers fell behind and lost 22-1 with Barkovic scoring the only goal.
The Panthers also lost 23-0 to Shenandoah as they were outmatched in draw controls and shots.
Lately the Panthers are heating up as they won back-to-back conference games.
In the matchup versus Eastern Mennonite, Bishop led the panthers with 6 points, including 4 goals and 2 assists. EMU took the 1st quarter 3-2, but the Panthers finished the half ahead 5-4. Barkvoic helped the Panthers extend their lead 7-4 as the Panthers controlled the game, winning 14-8.
Veney had a record-breaking day as she now holds the record for draw controls (17) in a game, which was previously held by Willow Cooper in 2023.
Saturday, the Panthers defeated Sweet Briar at home as they shut them out 14-0.
Barkovic had a career day, scoring 6 goals and leading all players.
Dickerson scored a goal in every quarter, Bishop contributed with a goal and 3 assists, and Moore had 2 goals also.
The game was called after 3 quarters because Sweet Briar didn’t have enough players available .
Head Coach Carly Coyle and the Panthers look to extend their streak when they host Greensboro tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.
