Michele Scannell and Emily Santoli were the headliners, but Dani Bursinger stole the show, scoring five goals and reeling in 10 draw controls to lead No. 2 Florida Southern to a 17-16 win Saturday over No. 1 Adelphi in an early season showdown of the top two teams in NCAA Division II women’s lacrosse.
Bursinger added two assists, as the Mocs (2-0) ended a two-game losing streak against the Panthers. The teams have met in the last two NCAA championship games, with Florida Southern winning in 2016 and Adelphi in 2017.
Scannell, the Brine/US Lacrosse Preseason Player of the Year, led the Panthers (0-1) with four goals and two assists in the loss. Kole Pollock added four goals.
Santoli, the two-time IWLCA Division II Midfielder of the Year, finished with three goals. Marina Jozokos, Riley Bannatyne and Shannon Mazza scored two goals apiece for the Mocs.