ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College women's lacrosse team fell short against conference foe Pfeiffer University 18-8 at home on Saturday.

Pfeiffer got out to a quick 5-0 lead after the first 8 minutes before Wesleyan went on to score 5 of the next 7 goals including 3 from junior midfielder Ali Cucinotta. Wesleyan would go into the half trailing just 8-5 as Pfeiffer only totaled 4 more shots than the Bishops.

The Lady Falcons then put the game away with a 8-0 run to begin the second half increasing their lead to 16-5. Cucinotta then scored 3 straight goals for the Lady Bishops helping them get within 8 goals with 6 minutes to play but that would be as close as Wesleyan would get the rest of the way.

The Bishops fall to 1-5 on the season and 0-2 in the USA South while Pfeiffer improves to 1-2 and 1-0 in conference.

Cucinotta led the Bishops with 6 goals and nine draw control wins as well as forcing 4 Pfeiffer turnovers. Freshman Malia Spencer also had 4 draw control wins while picking up 4 ground balls and causing two turnovers.

Freshman attacker Winter Hardison also added a goal and an assist with a draw win while sophomore Madeline Graham scored a goal and assisted on another in the loss. Sophomore Maddie O'Neill also had an assist and picked up 3 ground balls.

Freshman goalie Izabella Espoile made 12 saves and picked up 3 ground balls.

The Bishops return to action on Wednesday when they host Mareitta College at 4:00 PM from Scalf Field.