UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 19 Penn State Women's Lacrosse team fell 22-12 against No. 5 Loyola on Saturday afternoon in Holuba Hall. The Greyhounds edged out the Nittany Lions, 11-7, in a back-and-forth first half, before pulling away in the second half. The Nittany Lions dropped to 4-1 on the season, while Loyola improved to 4-0.
Senior Maria Auth led the Nittany Lions with three goals, her fifth straight game with at least three goals, and an assist. Sophomore Lauren Craft, senior Katie Schluederberg and junior Sophia Triandafils each had two goals, with Triandafils adding an assist. Yasmain Hamood, Mary Muldoon and Meghan Murray each tallied one goal. Sophomore Taylor Suplee made 15 saves.
Loyola was led by Sam Fiedler's four goals and three assists. Elli Kluegel also had four goals, while Livy Rosenzweig had a goal and five assists. Emily Wills and Jillian Wilson each recorded three goals. Kaitlyn Larsson made eight saves in 54 minutes in goal.
The Nittany Lions got on the board first, with Murray scoring off an assist by Triandafils. Loyola answered with a pair of goals by Kluegel and Penn State responded with two goals by Schluederberg. Penn State led 3-2 with 22:19 remaining in the half.
Loyola went on a 3-0 run, with a goal each by Holly Lloyd, Fielder and Wills, but Penn State tied it back up at 5-5 with free-position goals by Auth and Triandafils.
However, the Greyhounds responded with a 4-0 run with goals by Wilson, Emily Beier, Fielder and Kluegel.
Back-to-back goals by Lauren Craft, the second one assisted by Auth, brought Penn State back within two, 9-7, but Loyola closed the half with goals by Caitlyn Gunn and Bridget Ballard to hold an 11-7 lead at halftime.
Loyola's Sydney Foster tallied the first goal of the second half, answered by Triandafils.
A goal by Wills sparked a 4-0 Loyola run. Wills' tally was followed by Wilson, Rosenzweig and Lloyd to give the Greyhounds a 16-8 advantage with 24:09 remaining.
Hamood stopped the run with a goal. After goals by Loyola's Wilson and Kluegel, Auth got on the board again. Penn State trailed 18-10 with 15:50 to go in the game.
Loyola answered with another 4-0 run, including two goals by Fielder and one each by Wilson and Anna Ruby.
The Nittany Lions scored the final two goals of the game, one each by Muldoon and Auth on free-position looks.
Penn State begins a five-game road stretch on Wednesday, March 4 at No. 15 James Madison. First draw is scheduled for 4 p.m. The Dukes are 3-1 this season.
Senior Katie Schluederberg