LHU Lacrosse falls late in close battle with Slippery Rock

LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven lacrosse team stormed out to an early lead, but Slippery Rock used a huge run over the second and third period to steal a 14-12 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division victory at Charlotte E. Smith Field on Wednesday (March 27).

Lock Haven moves to 7-1 overall and 2-1 in the PSAC West, after starting the season 7-0 for the first time in seven years.

With the victory, Slippery Rock improves to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the Western Division.

In the first half, Abby Katrinak (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) waited just 15 seconds to find the back of the net to give The Haven an early 1-0 lead.

The score sparked a 6-0 Bald Eagle run to start the contest, thanks to a pair of goals from Makayla Kelly (Kennett Square, Pa./Kennett) and a first half hat-trick by reigning PSAC West Athlete of the Week Gabby Gunnip (Elbridge, N.Y./Jordan Elbridge).

However, Slippery Rock scored five unanswered goals to close out the first half, before connecting again to open up the third period to knot the game at 6-6.

After trading goals over the opening eight minutes of the third quarter, Katrinak scored her second goal of the game to give the Bald Eagles a 9-8 lead at the 6:56 mark.

However, The Rock responded with a 3-0 run over the ensuing six minutes to lead 11-9 heading into the final quarter.

Led by two more goals from Kelly, the Bald Eagles outscored The Rock 3-1 to open the fourth quarter to knot the game at 12-12 with 8:16 to go.

However, that was the final score of the game for Lock Haven, while Slippery Rock scored twice during the final five minutes to steal the victory.

For Lock Haven, Kelly had the best game of her rookie season as she found the back of the net five times, caused a turnover and secured a team-high four draw controls.

Gunnip continued her tear this season, adding four goals, moving her PSAC-leading total to 31.

Katrinak scored twice and Nadia Baskot (Damascus, Md./Damascus) scored and dished out an assist.

Kaitlyn Collins (Ringwood, N.J./Lakeland Regional) and Josey Shaffer (Westminster, Md./Manchester Valley) each dished out an assist and scooped up four ground balls, while Shaffer added three draw controls.

In goal, Dana Mirigliano (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) made a game-high nine saves, including several from point-blank range to give The Haven a fighting chance down to the final buzzer.

Of note, both teams kept the turnover battle close and finished with four successful free-position shots, but The Rock led, 16-14 in draw controls and 23-18 in shots on goal.

Saturday served as the Bald Eagles’ Morgan’s Message Game, in support of mental health awareness.

NEXT UP

The Bald Eagles travel to Edinboro on Saturday (March 30) at noon for a PSAC West contest.