ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College lacrosse team fell 24-15 in their final game of the season to Averett University on Saturday afternoon from Scalf field. 

The high-scoring game saw a combined 39 goals, 71 shots, 24 ground ball pickups and 40 draw controls.

Senior midfielder Ali Cucinotta led the Lady Bishops with 7 goals and 2 assists in the final game of her record-setting career. She also won ten draws, picked up six ground balls and caused two turnovers.

Averett got out to a fast start leading 10-3 after the first 20 minutes and then taking a 12-5 lead at halftime and a 23-12 lead in shots.

However, Wesleyan would begin a rally of their own getting to within 5 goals multiple times early in the second half including a 3-0 run at the 23-minute mark to get within 15-10 on goals from Cucinotta and defender Aydriyan Upchurch.

The foes would then trade goals over the next 8 minutes before back-to-back goals from Madeline Graham and Upchurch got the Bishops to within four goals at 18-14 with 12 minutes to play.

Unfortunately, that would be as close as the Bishops would get as Averett went on a 5-0 run to lead 23-14 and put the game out of reach. The teams tied in shots in the second half at 18 apiece.

Freshman attacker Blaire Harley played well scoring 4 goals for the Bishops while Upchurch scored her first two career goals. Sophomore attacker Nakayla Chatman scored her 2nd goal of the season as well in the loss while also winning four draws and causing two AU turnovers. Senior goalie Alissa Avery also made 8 saves in net.

The Bishops go to 2-10 on the season while Averett improves to 6-5 and 4-2 in the East. AU will next battle Meredith College in the Division final next weekend.