EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The Kutztown University women's lacrosse team scored the game's opening goal and held a brief lead, but No. 10 East Stroudsburg University scored 14 of the next 16 to win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division showdown Tuesday, 14-3, at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
 
The Golden Bears (1-10 overall, 1-9 PSAC) got on the scoreboard first thanks to a goal only 1:17 after the opening whistle by sophomore Morgan Hurd (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland). It was Hurd's team-leading 17th goal of the season, putting KU on top 1-0.
 
But the nationally-ranked Warriors (8-2, 7-2) responded with back-to-back goals at the 23:13 mark and 17:49 mark to take the lead. Sophomore Hannah Brewster (Denton, Md./North Caroline) tied the game back up at 2-2 with her second goal on the year with just under 16 minutes left in the opening half. From that tally, however, East Stroudsburg recorded 10 straight goals to take firm control of the game. ESU led 6-2 at halftime and tallied six in-a-row to start the second half.
 
Sophomore Marissa Giancola (Cape May, N.J./Lower Cape May Regional) ended the Warriors' run with her second goal this season and 12:05 left to play. Hurd had the assists for both Brewster and Giancola's goals. She leads the team with 11.
 
Jenna Blesson (Sparta, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) finished with eight saves in net and Courtney Gallagher (Montrose, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) came into the game late in the second half and made one save. Sydnie Bisesi (Denton, Md./North Caroline) and Emma Meakim (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland) finished with a team-high three ground balls, while Devon Fitzpatrick (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) and Brooke-Lynn Grim (Abbottstown, Pa./New Oxford) led the way with two caused turnovers each.
 
ESU outshot KU 31-16 and won the advantage in draw controls by a 14-4 margin overall.
 
Kutztown will play its final road game this Saturday, April 24, at Shippensburg University. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.