SALT LAKE CITY, Utah--The Westminster women's lacrosse team nearly cameback from a slow start to defeat the BYU Cougars in a spring exhibition game. The Cougars rallied late to defeat the Griffins, 12-9.

A slow start dug a deep hole for the Griffins to climb out of.  The visiting Cougars jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the opening nine minutes.  They scored two more goals for a 7-2 lead with 16 minutes left in the half.

The Griffins rallied with four unanswered goals to close the half, 6-7.  Lauren Shoughro scored three goals, assisted by Eden Freiberg and Katie Hendershott on two, and Katie Hendershott scored the final goal of the half to take some momentum into the locker room.

BYU started quickly with a goal just over one minute into the second period.  Westminster's defense stepped its game up and held the Cougars scoreless for nearly 22 minutes.

Shoughro scored her fifth goal of the game to make it 7-8.  The Griffins took the lead, 9-8, with goals from Melissa Reeves and Katie Hendershott.

BYU finally cracked the Griffins' defense and scored to tie the game with 6:14 left and continued on with three more to finish in the lead, 12-9.

Shoughro put five past the goalie as Westmisnter's leading goal scored.  Hendershott was involved with three goals, assisting one and scoring tow of her own.

Mele led the Griffins' defense stand in the second half and finished the game with seven ground balls and five caused turnovers.  Goalkie Mikala Davis also picked up seven ground balls and made 10 saves.

The Griffins hit the road for their next two games next weekend as they return to Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.  Friday they play at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (Apr. 12) and Colorado State University-Pueblo on Sunday (Apr. 14).