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Earlier this month, the Furman women’s lacrosse team defeated Austin Peay at home in upstate South Carolina. Sophomore star Lily Toole made headlines in the performance.
Most of that spotlight was positive. She was one of the Paladins‘ top scorers. She went viral, however, for an accidental headshot that nearly decapitated a referee.
Toole is in second season with the program following a decorated career at Ponte Vedra High School in Florida. As a college rookie, she was named Big South Freshman of the Year.
In 2025, she ranked third on the team in scoring with 85 points. That included 64 goals and 21 assists, both of which set Furman freshman single-season records.
Toole is looking to continue success in Year 2. She got off to hot start in the Paladins’ second matchup of the season.
Furman picked up its first women’s lacrosse win.
The Paladins fell to Clemson in their season opener. They bounced back against the Governors with a 17-9 victory after overcoming an early 7-6 deficit.
Lily Toole scored four goals in that contest. She added two assists to tie for the team lead in scoring.
One of those goals came late in the second quarter to put Furman up 9-7. Her excitement got the best of her as she attempted to follow NCAA rules.
She drilled the referee with her lacrosse stick pic.twitter.com/0EpUJmf8yH
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) March 3, 2026
Those unfamiliar with women’s lacrosse were a bit confused by the reaction. Was she tossing her stick in celebration, much like we see in baseball?
To get that answer, we can turn to the NCAA rulebook.
Women’s lacrosse players are required to turn their sticks over for inspection after each goal scored. Referees then ensure pocket depth meets requirements.
Once a goal is scored, the official will take possession of the goal-scoring stick and will perform a pocket-depth check. If an official suspects violations of this rule, a closer examination of the stringing of the pocket and head of the stick (including measurements) will be conducted at that time.
-NCAA Rule 2, Section 12 / Equipment and Uniforms
This is an act that must be done immediately. Failure to adhere can result in penalty.
If the player who shot the goal does not drop their stick or hand their stick to the nearest official in a timely fashion, or the goal scorer or any teammate adjusts the goal-scoring stick in any way before dropping the stick or handing it to the official, the goal shall not count.
Poole did not risk punishment. She tossed her stick to an official as soon as the shot hit the back of the net.
The unassuming referee was not ready for the transfer. He received a lacrosse stick to the face as a result.
Toole apologized to the official for her quick trigger before celebrating with teammates. She’d go onto score two more goals in the fourth quarter to cement the win.