Box Score by Benny Benton
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Elizabeth Gabriele tallied six goals and Laura Starkes added five as Converse College cruised past Barton College, 17-4, in Conference Carolinas women's lacrosse action Friday at Fulp Field.
The Valkyries (4-9, 2-5) and Lady Bulldogs (1-9, 0-8) traded goals in the game's first three minutes, with senior Kianna Jimenez recording the BC goal on a free position shot.
Gabriele scored the first of her goals with 24:27 remaining in the half to regain the lead for Converse, and Starkes found the net less than a minute later to increase the Valkyries' lead to 3-1.
Kelly Dolan produced her 14th goal of the year with 20:22 left in the period to cut Barton's deficit to 3-2, but Gabriele and Starkes took turns scoring the next five goals over the next 11 minutes to help Converse pull away to a comfortable 8-2 advantage.
Jimenez added her team-best 19th goal of the season for Barton late in the half, but Converse went to the break with an 11-3 cushion.
Alyssa Torres accounted for Barton's final goal late in the match, scoring her ninth of the year while the Lady Bulldogs enjoyed a man-advantage after a Converse yellow card.
Barton had reached double-figures in goals in each of its past two matches, but Converse goalie Myka Jones produced seven saves to help keep the Lady Bulldogs in check. BC keeper Kia Morris collected six saves in a losing cause for BC.
In addition to her goal, Dolan claimed six ground balls and a pair of draw controls for Barton. Rebecca Fraser posted a team-high seven ground balls and five caused turnovers, while Jimenez gained a team-high four draw controls.
Kasey Halodik had seven ground balls for Converse, and Aubrie Lauderdale chipped in a game-high five draw controls and four caused turnovers for the Valkyries.
Barton will return to action on Wednesday when it visits Misenheimer, N.C., to take on Pfeiffer University.
