RALEIGH, N.C. -- In a Saturday's USA South Conference women's lacrosse opener, Jennifer Halvorson led with seven goals as Meredith College finished off the Greensboro Pride 21-12. The Angels moved into a tie for first place with reigning Regular Season Champion Piedmont, and the Lions arrive in Raleigh Sunday for a 1 p.m. battle.

The Avenging Angels gained control of the fast-paced match midway into the second period on back-to-back Carlee Joseph goals from Molly Miller to give Meredith a 15-9 advantage. And Halvorson scored four more to put away the visitors for good.

Greensboro entered the match with a 2-0 league record and the Avenging Angels yet to face a conference team. The pressure was thick on the field as the battle ensued. During the first 30 minutes of play, both teams fought for every pass, and both teams had to finesse the defense to get close to the cage.

Meredith's defense, led by Alyssa Codispoti and Cameron Ruffin, backed up goalkeeper Katie Sills to fend off the Pride attack. The USA South's point leader Kirstin Norris still managed to find the net on four occasions, but six saves from Sills and a strong Angels defense held Greensboro down the stretch.

Joseph finished with five goals, three assists, and Miller tallied four assists to go along with an unassisted first-half goal. In addition to her four points on three goals, one assist, Katie Burnet notched a team-high six draw controls with three caused turnovers and three groundballs. Holly Hite posted an all-around game as well with five draw controls, one assist, one caused turnover, and a pair of groundballs.

Norris led the Pride offense with six points, and Natalie Ritchey finished with five on a trio of goals and two assists. Ashlynn Parks registered three goals as well. Keeper Kaleigh Hemstock recorded her first loss on the season with 14 saves in goal.

Follow Sunday's USA South battle for first between Meredith and the Piedmont Lions live HERE beginning at 1 p.m.