Rome, Ga. - The Berry College Womens Lacrosse team fell to Birmingham-Southern in their first home game of Southern Athletic Association play.

The Vikings started off hot with a goal 5 minutes into the first quarter with a goal from reigning SAA player of the week, Haley Larsen. But the Panthers came back with five goals of their own in under 10 minutes to take a 5-1 lead heading into the second.

The Vikings weren't done yet. Goals from Molly Cross, Larsen and Adrienna Van Solen cut the deficit and made it a 7-4 game.
 
The Panthers answered back as they were able to sneak one in again, but Larsen stepped up to the challenge shortly after and netted her fourth goal of the first half. With under two minutes to go before the half, Maddie Mashburn connected on a shot that cut the Panthers lead to one. But once again, the Panthers were able to answer. The Vikings were not going to quit as AnnaKate Estock connected on a shot on an assist from Cross to cut the game to one, 9-8, heading into halftime
 
Birmingham-Southern (5-5, 1-1 SAA) got started early in the second half early, scoring two times in five minutes. But once again, Berry started to crawl their way back into the game as Estock scored once again to cut the game to two. The Panthers would then go on a run, outsourcing the Vikings 7-2 in the third quarter to take a 16-10 lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
 
Starting off the fourth, Cross was able to connect five minutes into the frame. The Panthers would again answer the Vikings (7-2, 1-1 SAA) score with two goals of their own, making the score 18-11. Mashburn would then put one in the bottom left corner with six minutes remaining to make the score 18-12. Birmingham-Southern would then answer with two more goals of their own, which would stretch their lead to eight and make the score 20-12. Following the Panthers score, Alexis Medor and Cross would connect on back-to-back scores with under four minutes left to play. These two goals would be the last of the game as the final score would be 20-14 in favor of the Panthers.
 
Larsen (4), Mashburn (3), and Molly Cross (3) would lead the way offensively for the Vikings, with Cross adding a pair of assists for a team-best five points on the night. Starting goalkeeper Allie Washburn would end with 14 saves on the night for BC.

The Vikings will be back in action at Hendrix March 26, with opening draw set for noon.