UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 7 Penn State women's lacrosse team dropped a tight 12-9 decision against No. 13 Michigan on Friday at Panzer Stadium. Michigan gained the lead with a 4-0 run to begin the second half and held on for the victory. The Nittany Lions dropped to 2-3, while Michigan improved to 3-3.
Freshman Kristin O'Neill led the Nittany Lions with four goals, tying her career high. Fifth-year senior Maria Auth and sophomore Mary Muldoon each tallied two goals. Lauren Craft added a goal and Kara Nealon contributed an assist. Olivia Dirks won nine draw controls. In goal, Taylor Suplee made seven saves.
Michigan was paced by Maggie Kane's four points, including three goals. Molly Garrett added two goals and an assist, while Erin Garvey posted a goal and two assists. Caitlin Muir scored twice. Arielle Weissman earned the win, making 14 saves.
The Wolverines took an early lead on a tally by Garrett just 1:19 into the game.
O'Neill evened the score at the 21:56 mark with a snipe.
Michigan re-gained the lead on a goal by Caroline Davis in a man-up situation. However, Penn State answered with a goal by Muldoon. Over a minute later, Garvey found the net to give Michigan a 3-2 advantage.
The Nittany Lions tallied the final two goals of the half, both by O'Neill. The first came on an unassisted goal with 7:03 left and O'Neill gave PSU a 4-3 lead on a free-position look with 3:43 remaining. Penn State held the lead at the break.
However, the Wolverines started hot to begin the second half on a 4-0 run. Back-to-back goals by Kane preceded goals by Kaitlyn Mead and Claire Galvin to extend Michigan's lead to 7-4 with 27:37 to go in the game.
Craft stopped the Michigan run, finishing off a feed by Nealon. A few minutes later, Auth found the net on a free-position look to take advantage of a man-up opportunity. Penn State cut its deficit to 7-6 with 20:06 remaining.
A free-position goal by Muir put Michigan back up by two, but Auth answered with an unassisted snipe to close the gap to 8-7 with 15:46 to go.
Michigan created separation with a 3-0 run, sparked by Kane at the 15:23 mark. Goals by Muir and Kaley Thompson pushed the Wolverines' lead to 11-7 with 12:26 left.
O'Neill responded with a free-position goal to bring PSU within three, but a few minutes later Garrett scored again to give Michigan a 12-8 advantage with 5:37 remaining.
Muldoon tallied the final goal of the afternoon with 2:08 to play.
The Nittany Lions will conclude their series against Michigan on Sunday. First draw is scheduled for 10 a.m. on ESPNU.
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateWomensLacrosse) and Twitter/Instagram (@pennstatewlax).
