MILLERSVILLE, Pa. -- Lauren Schmidt (Hanover, Pa./South Western) found the back of the net four times on Tuesday afternoon to become Kutztown University women's lacrosse's eighth all-time leading goal scorer, but the Golden Bears dropped a pivotal PSAC game to fellow playoff hopeful Millersville, 16-6, at Biemesderfer Stadium.

Two of Schmidt's goals came in the final 23 seconds of the first half as the Maroon and Gold halted a five-goal Millersville run and inched back within three, 7-4.

The Golden Bears (5-5 PSAC, 6-7) were unable to turn the tide completely, however, with the hosts scoring two right out of the break and nine in the second half around just two additional Schmidt markers.

Schmidt, a senior from Hanover, also led KU in shots (seven) and draw controls (five). She came into Tuesday's game tied for eighth on the program's career goal-scoring list with Leeann Pica (2009-12) with 83, but has taken sole possession of eighth with 87.

Destanee Watkins (Emmaus, Pa./Emmaus) had a goal and an assist, Emily Smith (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Hubert Catholic) chipped in two assists and Cyla Cafferata (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Sachem North) scored her 18th goal of the season.

It was Cafferata's goal with 20:55 left in the first half that got Kutztown on the board after Millersville (6-3, 8-6) had scored two goals less than two minutes prior. Watkins followed with her 11th goal of the campaign to tie the game, but the Marauders responded with five goals from five different players to vault in front, 7-2.

Sarah Leverentz and Genevieve Speights each produced four goals, an assist and three draw controls. Gillian Zimmerman had a hat trick and a helper for four points.

The Marauders outshot KU 28-27 in a game that was fairly even in everything but goals. Kutztown committed one more turnover (15-14) and grabbed two more draw controls (13-11), while Millersville held an 18-14 edge in ground balls.

Shannon Davis was certainly a difference-maker in goal for the home team. She stopped seven shots in the first half and 10 overall.

Kutztown, picked 11th in the PSAC Preseason Coaches Poll, is still in the playoff hunt, despite Tuesday's defeat, but its margin for error is gone.

The Golden Bears sit eighth, a game and a half behind five teams sharing third place at 6-3. Their two remaining conference opponents, Seton Hill and Mercyhurst, are among those five teams and have become must-win games. The top six teams will qualify for the PSAC Championship tournament.

Kutztown is on the road at Seton Hill this coming Saturday, April 20. Game time is 11 a.m.