Offense powers Bald Eagles to victory over Gannon, Lacrosse improves to 7-0

LOCK HAVEN – Gabby Gunnip (Elbridge, N.Y./Jordan Elbridge) and Emma Williams (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) combined for 10 goals to lift the Lock Haven lacrosse team (7-0, 2-0 PSAC West) to a 19-16 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division victory over Gannon at Charlotte E. Smith Field on Saturday afternoon (March 23).

The 7-0 start is the first since 2016 as the Bald Eagles also improve to 2-0 in the PSAC West, remining in first place.

The Haven has scored in double figures in every game this season and is outscoring its opponents, 95-72, on the year. Today’s 19 goals are the most for the program since scoring 25 at Edinboro last spring.

Gunnip powered the Bald Eagles’ offense with a game-high six goals and an assist, totaling seven points. Through seven games, Gunnip ranks first in the entire PSAC in goals this season with 26.

Williams added four goals and two assists as she finished with six points on the afternoon.

Freshman Makayla Kelly (Kennett Square, Pa./Kennett) recorded her third hat-trick in four games, while Abby Katrinak (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) and Nadia Baskot (Damascus, Md./Damascus) both scored twice. Katrinak also dished out a team-high three assists to finish with five points on the afternoon.

Ally Weaver (Sunderland, Md./Huntington) and Josey Shaffer (Westminster, Md./Manchester Valley) rounded out the Bald Eagles who found the back of the net.

In goal, Dana Mirigliano (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) earned her career-best seventh win of the season as she made six saves, including a point-blank save with two minutes remaining to put the game away.

In an offensive-driven contest that featured 59 shots, the Bald Eagles led in shots (32-27), shots on goal (26-22) and draw controls (22-17).

Of note, Shaffer matched the game-high with 10 draw controls, while Mackenna Brown (Rochester, N.Y./Aquinas Institute) picked up six ground balls and caused four turnovers.

Lock Haven, who led for the majority of the contest, built a 16-13 lead with under 10 minutes left in regulation.

However, Gannon scored three unanswered goals, including two while up a player, to knot the game at 16-16 with 6:29 to go.

Lock Haven responded in a big way and its relentless offensive attack proved to be to much for Gannon, as the Bald Eagles scored three unanswered goals over the ensuing three minutes to lead 19-16 and put the game out of reach.

Katrinak had a stick in two of the final three goals as she scored and dished out a helper.

NEXT UP

The Bald Eagles travel to Slippery Rock on Wednesday, April 17 at 4 p.m. for a PSAC West contest.