SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – After rallying from a 6–2 deficit and forcing overtime tied at 10–10, the No. 14 Kutztown University women's lacrosse team fell in a tightly contested 11–10 matchup against Shippensburg University on Saturday afternoon at Robb Sports Complex. The loss marks the Golden Bears' first defeat this season against an unranked opponent.
Kutztown (9–7, 6–5 PSAC East) opened strong as
Brynn Axe (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) secured the opening draw control, leading to a goal by
Lailah ElBouazzaoui (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) just 36 seconds into the game. However, Shippensburg (8–7, 3–7 PSAC East) responded with five of the next six goals.
Sophie Engelhardt (Hellertown, Pa./Saucon Valley) netted one during that stretch, but the Bears trailed 6–2 with 6:19 remaining in the second quarter.
Maddie Wagner (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) then added two crucial goals before halftime—first assisted by
Lauren LaMorte (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip), then by
Gabriella Mina (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee)—with Shippensburg adding one in between. Kutztown entered halftime trailing 7–4.
ElBouazzaoui once again opened the scoring in the second half, capitalizing on a turnover and clear initiated by goalkeeper
Marisa Bragg (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central). After another Shippensburg goal, ElBouazzaoui struck twice more within a 40-second span to bring the Bears within one. Each team added another goal before the quarter ended, with Wagner completing her hat trick to make it 9–8 entering the fourth.
The Raiders extended their lead to 10–8 early in the final frame. A well-timed timeout from Kutztown sparked momentum, and Bragg came through with a key save to initiate a transition that ended in a goal by
Olivia Eilbacher (Cherry Hill, N.J./Camden Catholic). Bragg then made four more critical saves between the 9:00 and 5:28 marks to keep the Golden Bears within reach.
With 4:21 remaining, freshman
Gabriella Mina (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) tied the game at 10–10 off a pass from
Sam Graf (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills). Despite each team having opportunities late, neither could break the deadlock. Kutztown called its final timeout with 1:23 left, and Graf managed a shot in the final 20 seconds, but it was off the mark, sending the Golden Bears into their first overtime game of the 2025 season.
Statistically, the teams were evenly matched heading into the extra period—each with 21 shots on goal and 11 saves. The Bears trailed only in draw controls, 14–10. Graf, the reigning PSAC East Defender of the Week, led the team with four ground balls and seven caused turnovers. On offense, ElBouazzaoui paced the Bears with four goals on 16 shots, while LaMorte recorded a career-high five assists.
Summer Davis (Beach Haven, N.J./Southern Regional) secured her fifth and Kutztown's 11th draw control to open overtime. After a promising possession, Graf fired a shot that was saved. During Shippensburg's clear attempt, Davis was issued a green card, forcing the Bears to play a player down. The Raiders capitalized on the advantage, scoring the game-winner to seal the 11–10 victory.
Kutztown will close out its regular season on Wednesday, April 23, traveling to Millersville for a 4:00 p.m. start.
