LYNCHBURG, Va. - The NC Wesleyan College lacrosse team fell short 19-16 at Randolph College on Saturday afternoon in Lynchburg despite junior Ali Cucinotta's career game.

Randolph got out to a quick 3-0 lead on the Bishops before the teams traded goals until RC led 8-4 with 11:22 to play in the first half. Wesleyan would then go on a scoring streak scoring the next 4 goals, three from junior midfielder Ali Cucinotta to tie the game at 8 with 7 minutes to play.

Randolph (1-0), though, would then score 4 of the next 5 goals to take a 12-9 lead at intermission. Cucinotta scored 6 first-half goals for the Bishops.

Unfortunately for the Bishops, the Wildcats would then score the first 3 goals of the second half within the first 5 minutes to take a 15-9 lead. Wesleyan would score 4 of the next 6 goals but still trailed the Lady Wildcats 17-13 with 9:40 to play.

With four minutes to play, Wesleyan would score the final 3 goals of the game but still fall short in the end. Cucinotta finished the game with a career-high of 11 goals on 14 shots along with one assist. She also won 10 draw controls, collected three ground balls and caused 2 turnovers.

Freshman attacker Winter Hardison also added 2 goals with one assist, three draws, and 2 caused turnovers. Sophomore midfielder Maddie O'Neill and Madeline Graham also each scored a goal with O'Neill adding two assists as well while fellow sophomore Lindsay Abernathy scored one goal with one assist with one ground ball, two draw wins, and 2 caused turnovers.

Freshman Goalie Izabella Espoile also made 8 saves as Wesleyan outshot the Wildcats 38-35.

Wesleyan goes to 1-1 on the year and will next return home to host Guilford College on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 4 PM.