Memphis, TN – Colonels fall to Rhodes in the regular season 16-6; they look ahead to the conference tournament two weeks from now.
This was going to be the toughest challenge for the Colonels as Rhodes came into the game 3-0 in conference play.
The game opened with early scoring as Rhodes struck first when Sam Horwitz found the net, making it 1-0 early on. Centre was quick to respond as
Gracie Garner finished off a setup from
Sophia Richardson to tie it 1-1.
A few minutes later, the Lynx were able to regain the lead as Payton Stevens found the net; however, a turnover and foul by O'Malley helped set up a free position shot for the Colonels to take advantage of and make things even once again.
Back-and-forth offense continued, with Caroline Kardian scoring to put Rhoes up 3-2. The Colonels refused to back down, leveling the game for the third time when
Olivia Sweasy scored with under three minutes left.
It looked as if it was heading into the second with a tie, but the Lynx delivered a late score as Horowitz got a second goal, off an assist by Karidan, to take a one-goal lead into the second.
The second period was when momentum started to shift in Rhodes' favor as they got on the board early, with Kardian converting on a man-down for her team to extend the lead by two.
Offensive pressure continued as Horowitz got one through off an assist by Stevens to make it 6-3 early. A trade of turnovers and shot opportunities between both teams midway through before Rhodes opened it up with a pair of goals late to go ahead as much as five late in the period.
Colonel created some scoring opportunities late, having a feature of shots on goal but missed their mark, being blocked or hitting the post, not able to get one in.
With a minute left, the Lynx put another goal after a green card on
Olivia Sweasy to give Rhodes a man-up opportunity. They head into halftime ahead 9-3, the Colonels looking to make improvements.
Out of the half, O'Malley scored early to make it 10-3, the Colonels started to make offensive improvements as
Mary Sterling Anderton converts a free position shot. Minutes later, Graice Garner got one in off an assist by
Riley Jackson to start closing the gap with the score 10-5.
The period closes out with a stream of turnovers and cards on both sides, as neither team can generate any more offense late.
Fourth period, opened with immediate pressure from Rhodes, as McRae hit the post, before getting a goal in early to extend the lead 11-5. From there, the offensive pressure continued to build as the Lynx capitalized on Centre mistakes with multiple turnovers.
A pair of goals by Kardian and a free position finish by McRae extended the lead to 13-5, as Rhodes was not letting up, with Kardian adding another to stretch the margin to 14-5.
Gracie Garner managed to get a late goal in and slowed down Rhodes' momentum, but the Lynx closed with another pair of goals to close the game, with a final score of 16-6.
Colonels have a week break to prepare before the conference tournament gets underway on April 30
th.
