The tenth-ranked Belmont Abbey women's lacrosse team was edged by fifth-ranked Limestone 8-7 this afternoon at Alumni Field. Limestone improves to 2-0 overall and 2-2 in Conference Carolinas, while the Abbey evens its record at 2-2 overall and in Conference Carolinas.

The contest was evenly matched the entire 60 minutes, but the Abbey held the edge in shots (31-22) ground balls (27-22) and draw controls (12-5).

Limestone drew first blood with a Renee Albro goal, but the Abbey responded with two unanswered goals on tallies by Kerri Gut and Laurie Jordan. Lauryn Wise would tie the game at two, but Jordan responded less than two minutes later to allow the Abbey to reclaim the lead at 3-2. Albro closed the scoring at the 3:55 mark as the two teams went into the half tied at three.

The Lady Saints scored the first two goals of the second half on free position shots, but Tara Chmil would cut the lead to 5-4 with a gaol. After trading the next two scores, Limestone would score twice more on goals by Wise and Melissa Howard to extend its lead to 8-5. The Abbey would fire right back and cut the lead to 8-7 on goals by Jordan and Brianna Dignan, the last coming with 5:30 left.

The final five minutes was a flurry of offense, but neither team could find the back of the net. The Abbey forced a turnover with 35 seconds left and held for a final shot but a shot by Dignan at the horn was knocked away.

Jordan led the Abbey with three goals, while Dignan had a pair. Wise led the Lady Saints with three goals. Defensively, the Abbey caused nine turnovers as Michelle Babcock, Laura Dowd and Kate Gavin all had two.

Gavin made eight saves in the net, while Brigid Michling made 17 for Limestone.