GREENVILLE, S.C. – No. 4 Davenport used a four-goal first half run to defeat No. 2 Georgetown (Ky.), 13-9, in the finals of the 2016 Women's Lacrosse National Invitational Friday morning at Sirrine Stadium. With the win, Davenport (17-3) claims the first-ever national invitational title.

NAIA Player of the Year Brooke Knoll started the scoring for the Panthers with a goal 30 seconds into the game. Davenport added another goal, before First Team All-American Bea Cameron connected with Amber Hunley and Kaysie Smith on goals to tie the game at 2-2.

Less than a minute later, Hannah Bush netted an unassisted goal to spark a 4-0 run for Davenport, spanning six minutes. The two teams traded goals, twice, to give Davenport an 8-4 lead at the break.

Davenport held a 15-11 advantage in shots and a 13-8 edge in ground balls. Georgetown won eight of the 12 draw controls during the opening 30 minutes.

Bush scored an unassisted goal to start the second half to extend the Panthers lead to 9-4. Georgetown scored four of the next five goals, including two from Avery Blackmon and Merrisa Heraldson to cut the deficit to 10-8 with 13:37 remaining. Davenport scored three of the final four goals for the 13-9 final.

Jessica Lemcke and Bush each netted a team-high four goals, while Knoll finished with her second hat trick of the tournament. Amber Livingston added a pair of goals, while goalie Alex Yates finished with 11 saves in the win.

Blackmon registered a team-high four goals in the loss for Georgetown. Heraldson added a hat trick, while Cameron tallied two assist, four draw controls, four caused turnovers, and three ground balls. Goalie Rachel Kidwell made 11 saves in the cage.

The Panthers saw three players recognized for their play in the tournament as Jessica Lemcke, Syndey Gray, and Hanna Bush were each named to the 2016 NAIA Lacrosse National Invitational All-Tournament Team.

*Courtesy of NAIA Invitational Media Staff, NAIA.org