LEXINGTON, Ky. – Once again Centre women's lacrosse found itself in a nail-biting affair, this time escaping with a narrow 14-13 victory over in-state rival Transylvania Tuesday evening, playing under the lights at Pat Deacon Stadium.
 
Bella Tacogue matched a career high with six goals for the Colonels (1-1), who never trailed the host Pioneers (0-1) throughout the close contest.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Barely a minute into the game, Tacogue found the back of the net to open the scoring. Although Transy's Salem Carlow answered soon after, Tacogue and McKenna Hulette (twice) converted again for Centre to push the lead to 4-1.
- The host Pioneers pulled within a goal midway through the period at 4-3, but the Colonels rattled off six straight after to open a seven-goal margin.
- Tacogue and Lily Gahm traded goals during the stretch, scoring three apiece. An active defense also helped Centre during the run, as the visitors forced six Transy turnovers.
- The Pioneers connected on two goals in the final minutes of the period to make it 10-5 at the halftime break.
- Transylvania began the second frame in a similar fashion, scoring twice within 38 seconds and four times total in the opening five minutes to make it 10-9. The Pioneers corralled each of the first six draw controls to begin the period.
- Sloan Reding hit the back of the net following a caused turnover by Katy Haering to stop Transylvania's run.
- Gahm found Mary Katherine Hardy for a goal not long after, and Hardy later delivered an unassisted score to make it 13-9.
- Centre's defense clamped down on the Pioneers for a lengthy stretch, holding them without a goal while forcing 10 turnovers across nearly 20 minutes of game time.  
- Tacogue matched her personal-best with her sixth tally later in the period, and it proved to be the winner as the Pioneers scored three straight to close the game.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Tacogue's six goals came on eight shots, and she added four ground balls. Gahm also had six points for the Colonels with three goals and as many assists.
- Hardy once again filled the box score, finishing with five draw controls, five ground balls, two goals and two assists.
- Haering and Clare Heaney co-led Centre with two caused turnovers each.
- Lola Duff had nine saves in the victory.
- The Colonels finished with a wide 29-17 ground ball margin, and also had fewer team turnovers (30 to 21) while sporting a higher clear percentage (74% to 47%).
 
UP NEXT
Centre hosts Piedmont this Saturday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. for its home opener at South Campus Field.