BALTIMORE, Md. – Penn State women's lacrosse closed out a four-game road trip with an 18-9 loss at No. 9 Loyola (Md.) on Saturday afternoon.
Penn State had a good start to the game, scoring the first goal and leading in draw controls during the first half, nine to seven. However, Loyola adjusted and went on scoring runs of three and four in the second quarter while being strong in goalkeeping with 13 total saves to move out of reach of PSU.
PSU drops to 2-2 overall, while Loyola is now 4-0.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Graduate student Taylor Regan led PSU with three goals. Junior Meghan Murray and sophomore Gretchen Gilmore each added two.
- Murray and sophomore Sammy Dupcak both caused two turnovers apiece.
- Dupcak and sophomore Kayla Abernathy won five draw controls each.
- Junior Rachel Spilker picked up a team high three ground balls.
- Junior Kara Nealon had PSU's only assist of the day.
- Penn State took 22 shots on goal to Loyola's 21. But Loyola made 13 saves to PSU's three.
- The Nittany Lions committed just seven turnovers to Loyola's 15.
- The Greyhounds had a slight lead on draw controls, 16 to 14.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter – PSU 3, Loyola 3
Gilmore scored the first goal of the game and the last of the first quarter with 4.5 seconds remaining. Taylor Regan also scored. PSU had seven shots on goal to Loyola's four, but the Greyhounds' keeper saved four early shots. Two of Loyola's three goals were off free position. PSU led in draw controls four to two.
Second Quarter – PSU 5, Loyola 10
The Greyhounds tied PSU with five draw controls but out-scored the Nittany Lions 7-2 in the second period to see the first multi-goal lead of the game. Their scoring runs included chains of three and four goals, respectively. Inside the seven-minute mark, Regan and senior Mary Muldoon scored back-to-back goals.
Third Quarter – PSU 7, Loyola 15
Sophomore Kristin O'Neill opened the quarter by bouncing the ball into the goal, but Loyola responded with their one of their own. Murray then found the cage herself, but the Nittany Lions would not score again until the last seven minutes of the game.
Fourth Quarter – PSU 9, Loyola 18
The Greyhounds would reach their largest lead of ten and slowed the pace to maintain the lead. Murray scored her second goal of the day on a woman-up opportunity, and Regan scored her third of the game.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions host James Madison for their home opener at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9 at Panzer Stadium.