INDIANA, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's lacrosse team fell to Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) on the road on Saturday afternoon, 18-7, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover contest held at Miller Stadium.
The Maroon and Gold (6-9, 2-8 PSAC) surrendered the first goal of the contest only 26 seconds in, but responded quickly as they took a 2-1 advantage with 26:43 left in the first half. However, IUP would go on to score seven unanswered goals to take an 8-2 lead. Some back-and-forth action would bring the score to 9-4 at the end of the first.
IUP (11-5, 9-2) would continue to put the pedal to the metal as it outscored Kutztown, 9-3, in the second half despite KU picking up the first goal of the second half 55 seconds in.
Sarah Gabriele (Felton, Pa./York Catholic) tallied two goals in the contest to bring her season total to 42 goals. She currently ranks seventh in the PSAC and is five goals away from cracking into the top-five. She also moved into the top-three all-time in KU history for goals scored in a single-season. Gabriele needs four more goals to move into second place and 18 to tie the school-record.
Kutztown found offensive production from five other players as well.
Lauren Huggins (Media, Pa./Penncrest) notched a goal and an assist in the contest as she continues to perform well in her sophomore season.
Emily Smith (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Hubert Catholic),
Makayla Bowman (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn),
Aimee Beck (Green Lane, Pa./Pennridge) and
Jess Christ (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East) were the other Golden Bears to post a goal.
Courtney O'Neill (Stratford, N.J./Sterling) led the team in groundballs with four. She now has 37 groundballs this season and 154 career groundballs, which ranks third in KU history.
IUP was paced by Kim Hooven and Amy Weinberg in the victory. Hooven notched four goals, while Weinberg dished out six assists. Angela Lontoc was awarded the victory in goal.
KU will end its season with back-to-back home games as it hosts Bloomsburg and Seton Hill. It faces off against Bloomsburg on Wednesday, April 20, at 4 p.m. and matches up with Seton Hill on Friday, April 22 at 2 p.m.
