NETANYA, ISRAEL — Samantha Nemirov scored four goals and one assist to lead Be’er Sheva LC over Barak Netanya LC in the first-ever Women’s Israel Premier Lacrosse League game at Shapira Field on Thursday.
The game was a back-and-forth affair with five lead-changes. Nemirov’s second-half goal with 22 minutes remaining broke a 7-7 second-half deadlock, kicking off a a 6-1 run to put the “Speed of the Negev” up for good.
Taylor Roy added three goals for Be’er Sheva, while Alexandra Sportini and Marisa Tomsky each scored two goals and one assist. Jessica Kaye and Yulia Gorobets chipped in singles.
Netanya’s Courtney Miller scored the historic first goal one minute into the game. Her and Sarah Meisenberg finished with two goals and one assist, with Moran Sasson, Batel Elkalay, Emma Lazaroff and Nikol Baglay adding singles.
In the second game of the opening doubleheader, the “Bolts” secured their first win of the season with a 12-6 trouncing over Ashkelon LC. Netanya led just 6-5 at the half, but outscored Ashkelon 6-1 in the second frame to secure a commanding win.
Emma Lazaroff racked up six goals, while Meisenberg chipped in three. Leah Israel (two goals, one assist) and Moran Sasson (one goal) also scored.
Nemirov scored twice for Ashkelon, with Sarah Utting, Jessica Kaye, Charlotte Franklin and Chasia Warshow chipping in singles.
Be’er Sheva (1-0) leads the standings, with Netanya (1-1) and Ashkelon (0-1) trailing. The teams will play a double-round-robin schedule with the top record securing the inaugural IPLL Championship. Ashkelon and Be’er Sheva will also see exhibition action against the Maccabi USA Jr. Team.
Ashkelon will look to secure their first win of the season on home soil on Tuesday, when they host Barak Netanya at 7:00 PM at New Municipal Stadium.