BREVARD, N.C. – Averett's defense limited Brevard to five shots on goal in the second period while Elizabeth Peasley netted three goals to open the frame as the Cougars emerged with a 9-7 win on Saturday afternoon at Ives-Lemel Field.
With the score tied at five-all entering the second half, Peasley provided the Cougars (4-4) with a lead they would not relinquish on a free position shot goal at the 24:40 mark. Just over a minute later she delivered her third goal of the contest to make for a two-goal difference.
Peasley sliced through the Brevard (2-6) defense to notch her final goal of the frame with 19:05 remaining. Teammate Margaret Bautista came through with the final Cougar goal at the 18:17 mark, scoring a man-up point.
The Tornados tallied their first goal of the second half at the 10:37 mark when Kelly Kearnan drove a shot past Averett's Breanne Sawall. Victoria Hayes scored the final Brevard goal of the frame just over four minutes later.
Led by Sawall's three second half saves in goal, Averett's defense stonewalled the Tornados over the remainder of the contest to complete the victory
Nina Siu recorded the first Brevard goal less that one minute into the game as she streaked past the Cougars defense. Peasley answered with her first goal of the afternoon at the 23:53 mark to tie the game at 1-1.
Hayes forged the Tornados back in front with a free position goal at the 23:02 mark of the first half, but Alixis Roccia answered with a Cougar strike to knot the game at two. Haley Boardway netted the third Averett goal at the 19:38 mark as the lead remained intact for the next 5:07. It was there that Siu scored back-to-back shorthanded goals to move Brevard in front 4-3.
Macaiah Vacchiano drove home a pass from Kearnan to record the fifth Brevard goal, but strikes by Rachel Hale and Margaret Bautista drew the game even at 5-5 at the intermission.
Brevard's Shelby Arsenault faced 23 shots on goal on the day, including 13 in the second half, and made 14 saves in the process.
The Tornados return to action tomorrow at noon when they face N.C. Wesleyan at 12 p.m.
