WINCHESTER, Va. - Methodist University secured the No. 3 seed at next week's USA South Conference women's lacrosse tournament with a 15-12 victory over host Shenandoah Monday afternoon.

Shenandoah (4-8, 2-4 USA South) scored five of the game's first six goals, but watched MU (5-9, 4-2) tie the game at 6-6 by halftime.

After the Hornets opened the second half scoring on a Kelly Matagiesefree position goal at 29:09, the Lady Monarchs took a lead they would not relinquish by tallying four unanswered.

Matagiese stopped this string with an unassisted goal at 17:12, but MU put its hosts away with a 5-1 run over the next 10 minutes.

Shenandoah scored the final three goals of the game to cut the deficit to 15-12, but could get no closer.

Lauren McGonagle did most of the damage for Methodist - she had a game-high eight points on five goals and three assists. During the Lady Monarchs run that gave them the lead for good, McGonagle had a hand in three of the four goals.

In addition to McGonagle's eight points, Andrea DiStefano had five goals and Bridget Holcomb four.

Matagiese and Arissa Malick had four goals each for the hosts.

MU's victory also means that they will host the loser of Tuesday's NC Wesleyan/Averett game at next week's USA South Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Shenandoah gets the loser of that NCWC/AU contest in the No. 4 vs No. 5 game.

Box Score 

Shenandoah hosts the College of Notre Dame (Md.) on Wednesday at 4:30.