LAFAYETTE HLL, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's lacrosse team nearly overcame a large first-half deficit on Saturday afternoon, but it wasn't enough as the Golden Bears fell to Chestnut Hill College 9-7 in nonconference action on Victory Field.
 
Kutztown (1-1) put itself in a deep hole in the first stanza, but a Jillian Spencer-led comeback in the second half closed the margin within two goals before the final buzzer rang.
 
Chestnut Hill (2-1) notched the first six goals of the game, seemingly putting the Golden Bears to rest. With 7:08 left to play in the first half, Spencer found freshman Sarah Gabrielle for KU's first score to get on the board before halftime.
 
Kutztown carried that momentum into the second period, netting the next three goals to make it a two-score game. Lauren Huggins assisted on a Spencer goal one minute in, followed by Spencer and Taylor Stone tallying unassisted scores.
 
The Griffins got back on the board with 13:49 remaining, but Spencer responded with her third goal of the game off a dish from Stone for her second hat trick in a row.
 
The two teams traded goals until a 9-7 final in favor of CHC. Gabrielle recorded her second of the game, unassisted, and Madison Carlucci set up Taylor Sandin for KU's final tally.
 
Carlucci and Haley Romoser combined for nine of the team's groundballs, while Huggins and Courtney O'Neill each registered two caused turnovers.
 
Goalkeeper Abby Cox entered the game after the first six minutes, recording six saves the rest of the way.
 
Jacklyn O'Leary and Hunter Leckonby each recorded hat tricks to lead the Griffins' attack.
 
The Golden Bears return back to the Philadelphia area on Wednesday, March 18 for a 3 p.m. matchup against Philadelphia University.