Women's Lacrosse: Lady Knights Down Frederick in Home, Season Opener

ROSEDALE, Md. -- The Lady Knights used four goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation during its season and home opener last night to defeat Frederick Community College 17-15. 

Sophomore Madison Christian (Severna Park) finished with a game-high six goals and had an assist. She scored five of the Lady Knights' first seven goals and completed her hat trick just over 10 minutes into the game. 

Sophomore Hailey Jarrard (Sparrows Point) scored three goals and had three assists, while freshman Kelsey Ader (Eastern Technical) tallied three goals. 

It was the first regular season game and victory for head coach Emily McBee, who humbly down played the moment.

"It felt good," McBee said about her first win.

Instead, she chose to focus on her team's play.

"The girls worked really hard on both ends of the field," McBee said. "Madison [Christian] had a huge game and Devan [Middleton] played great in goal. A good team will always find a way to win and that's what happened last night."

The Lady Knights were particularly efficient on the draw, as Christian won 14-of-21 and sophomores Jarrard and Caronline Oakey (Mercy) combined to go 6-for-6.   

Trailing 15-13 late in the second half, freshman Hunter Giangrasso (Sparrows Point) scored the first of four consecutive Lady Knights' goals. The goal was her second and pulled Essex within one.

Jarrard scored the equalizer with nearly nine minutes remaining and Ader had the game winner on a free position goal with 8:31 to go. 

Jarrard finished her hat trick and gave the Lady Knights a cushion with 3:27 left in the game. 

Devan Middleton (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel) started the game and played most of the second half in goal. The freshman finished with three saves.

Freshman Jessica Boothe (Kenwood) scored two goals and had two assists and Oakey added a goal.

Next up...

The Lady Knights host Howard Community College on Wednesday, March 16. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streaming live on the Knights' website. 

* George Evans contributed to this article