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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The 11th-ranked Nittany Lion women's lacrosse team looked to be the first team to beat top-ranked Maryland, but a late three-goal run by the Terps produced a 10-9 loss for the Lions. Steph Lazo (Stevensville, Md.) had a five-point night in Penn State's attempt to upstage the undefeated Terrapins.
By virtue of its win, Maryland (17-0, 5-0 Big Ten) denied Penn State's (11-5, 3-2 Big Ten) bid to share the Big Ten title. In cage, Emi Smith (Denver, Colo.) was spectacular, saving 10 Terrapin effort, while Penn State withstood Maryland's aggressive ride, clearing 15-of-16 times. Penn State turned the ball over just nine times on a cold, rainy night.
In all, seven Nittany Lions contributed to the scoring effort with two earning multi-goal games: Madison Cyr (Westminster, Md.) and Lazo. Cyr ended with three points on two goals and an assist while scooping two ground balls, a draw control and causing two turnovers.
The Nittany Lions used a 5-1 run to take an 8-7 lead with 10:27 to play, giving Maryland its latest deficit of the season. That run started with 7:55 remaining in the first half on a Maggie Gallagher (Bel Air, Md.) free-position shot to cut Maryland's three-goal lead to two at 6-4.
Cyr brought Penn State within a goal on an unassisted run down the center of the field with 6:38. Jenna Mosketti (Fallston, Md.) looked to tie the score a few minutes later, but her goal was ruled out on a crease violation and the teams went into the locker rooms with Maryland leading 7-6.
Katie O'Donnell (West Chester, Pa.) responded to Zoe Stukenberg's early goal to make it a one-goal affair, 7-6, with 22:52 to go in the second half. She connected on a Lazo feed as she was double teamed. Lazo was again the distributor when Penn State tied the game on Kelly Daggett's (Bainbridge, Pa.) ninth of the season with 17:25 remaining.
The Nittany Lions took the lead when Cyr dodged her defender and scored with her left hand with 10:27 left. The goal was Cyr's 47th of the year.
Penn State had two opportunities to extend the lead, but a turnover and a save by Megan Taylor (six saves) allowed Maryland the chance to tie on Taylor Hensh's 18th of the season with 6:45 remaining. The goal came with only 18 seconds remaining on a PSU yellow card.
The Terrapins regained the lead on a Caroline Wannen goal with 4:06 remaining and less than a minute later Jen Giles scored an unassisted tally for a 10-8 lead.
Lazo brought PSU within one with a free-position shot with 1:34 remaining, but the Nittany Lions were unable to corral the ensuing draw and Maryland ran out the clock.
The Nittany Lions out-shot the Terrapins 27-26 and ground balls were even at 12 apiece. Maryland earned a 12-9 draw control win, while Penn State was 2-for-4 on free-position shots, Maryland was 0-for-3. The Terps committed just seven turnovers.
Maryland was led by Caroline Steele's three goals as well as two-time Tewaaraton Award winner Taylor Cummings' three-point night (2g, 1a). Cummings had a game-high nine draw controls, four ground balls and two caused turnovers.
PHOTO GALLERY
GAME NOTES
Penn State was only the second opponent to stay within a goal of Maryland this season. UMD's last one-goal game came against No. 2 North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Feb. 27, a game that the Terrapins never trailed.
The Nittany Lions held Maryland to their second-fewest goals of the season (8 at North Carolina, tied with 10 vs. Johns Hopkins). Maryland had won its previous four Big Ten games by 12 goals apiece.
Penn State fell to Maryland for the 11th straight time and is now 14-37-1 all-time against the Terrapins.
The Nittany Lions scored fewer than 10 goals for just the second time this season (0-2).
Madison Cyr has scored in every game this season and is currently on a 25-game scoring streak dating back to last year. This season, Cyr has tallied at least two points in every game and has 10 hat tricks.
Cyr's four goals bring her career total to 144 which has her in sole position for 8th all-time at Penn State. Her three points brought her career total to 182 for 15th all-time at Penn State. Cyr has 63 points this season.
Lazo's three assists brought her up to 30 this season, which easily leads the team. Lazo currently leads the Big Ten in assists per game (1.88). Lazo had just nine helpers all last season. Her 57 points this season has already surpassed the 50 she scored last season.
Madison Carter has scored in 15 of 16 games this season. Carter now has 39 goals this season. She had a team-high four draw controls tonight.
With Penn State's loss, the Nittany Lions will wait for Friday's Ohio State-Northwestern game to earn their seed. A Northwestern victory would give PSU the No. 2 seed, while an Ohio State victory would push PSU down to the No. 3 seed.
SOCIAL MEDIA WRAPUP
#NittanyLions push No. 1 Maryland to the limit in tough 10-9 loss. #WeAre
Recap: https://t.co/eZfCGoSxpe pic.twitter.com/Y16v74sXJ2-- Penn State Lacrosse (@PennStateWLAX) April 29, 2016
NEXT TIME OUT
Penn State will take part in the second Big Ten Tournament as the defending champions when Northwestern hosts the event May 5-8. If Penn State is the No. 2 seed, it will earn a bye to the semifinals on Friday, while being the No. 3 seed would earn a quarterfinal game on Thursday.