WINCHESTER, Va. - Ferrum College earned its first USA South Conference women's lacrosse victory of the 2007 season Saturday afternoon with a 13-11 victory at Shenandoah.

The Lady Panthers (3-5, 1-4 USA South) led 8-4 at the break and then had to hold on as Shenandoah (2-5, 0-3) staged a furious second-half comeback.

Trailing 13-8 after FC's Stephanie Perih scored her sixth goal of the game, the Hornets closed the contest by scoring three unanswered. Senior Arissa Malick had all of three of the goals to give her a team-high five on the day.

The last of these goals came with 92 seconds left and brought the hosts to its closest deficit, 13-11, since the middle of the first half.

Unfortunately for the home fans, Ferrum won the ensuing draw and was able to run out the clock.

Perih opened the game's scoring at 29:01 and following a two-goal SU run, the Lady Panthers took control of the contest by scoring five straight to take a 6-2 lead with 9:15 remaining in the first.

Ferrum's lead did not fall below three goals until Malick's final tally and reached as many as six in the second.

Perih led all scorers with six goals and one assist while Kerry Toomey had three goals and Carlyn Kubler two for FC.

Malick had five, Kelly Matagiese three with two assists and Lauren Carpinello two for Shenandoah. Carpinello also set a school record with 12 caused turnovers and she scooped up 10 groundballs.

Box Score 

SU hosts Averett tomorrow at 2:00 in another USA South Conference game.