Women's Lacrosse: Huge Second Half Leads Knights over Dragons

Baltimore County, MD -- The Knights had not defeated the Dragons since 2014, but that changed last night as Alexis Corbitt-Fennekohl (Loch Raven) and Mackenzie Lane (Institute of Notre Dame) scored seven goals each and Taylor Stambaugh (Eastern Tech) made 11 saves to help best the No. 5 Dragons 21-13 on a cold, windy night at CCBC Essex.

Corbitt-Fennekohl - who leads the nation in goals scored (58), points (73), shots (103) and draw controls (59) - added four assists, 11 draw controls and two caused turnovers. Lane is third in the NJCAA in goals scored (48) and points (55).

Stambaugh played arguably her best game of the season last night, coming up with multiple big saves to keep momentum on the Knights' side. She leads the nation in total saves (91) and is ranked eighth with an 11.25 goals against average.

The defense played its best game of the season as well, holding the nation's fifth ranked team to only five goals in the second half.

The Knights (8-4, 4-3 Maryland Juco) have now won seven straight games.

CCBC Essex trailed 8-6 at the break, as head coach Kandice Schroeder delivered a powerfully, riveting halftime speech that propelled a 15-goal outburst in the second half.

The game was a complete turnaround performance for the Knights, who on March 27 lost 19-13 to the Dragons and trailed 8-3 at halftime.

A big turning point came nearly five minutes into the second half when Howard's Kelsey Scott picked up her second yellow card.

The Knights had just scored and would continue that run, tallying nine in a row, six of which were "woman" up goals, due to a non-releasable fourth yellow card.

Paige Stiegler (Kenwood) had four goals, Tiana Hapsis (Perry Hall) finished with two and Erin Moran (Perry Hall) had a goal and an assist. 

Madison D'Amico (Perry Hall) finished with four ground balls and three draw controls. Her 42 draw controls are fourth best in the nation. 

The Knights' schedule does not get any easier, as they travel tomorrow to take on Harford Community College, the NJCAA's No. 2 ranked team. First draw is scheduled for 5 p.m.

*Follow us on Twitter @Knights_WLax and @CCBCEssexSports.