INDIANA, Pa. – The Crimson Hawks led 6-1 early in the second half, but a late rally from Lindenwood pushed the third-ranked Lions past IUP women's lacrosse 9-8 on Sunday afternoon at the Miller Stadium.
 
Lindenwood (7-0) scored the final three goals of the game, holding the Crimson Hawks scoreless for nearly the last 10 minutes of the game as they fell to 2-3 on the season. The game was IUP's 2016 home opener.
 
IUP got off to a hot start, getting goals by Kim Hooven (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley) and Adriana Greco (Sound Beach, N.Y./Rocky Point) in the first five minutes to get out to a 2-0 lead. Lindenwood was able to score, but the Crimson Hawks rattled off three consecutive goals from Hooven, Brittney Palardy (Perry Hall, Md./Perry Hall), and Greco, to take a 5-1 lead into halftime.
 
The Crimson Hawks controlled the ball during most of first half, limiting the high-scoring Lions to just five first half shots while also forcing Lindenwood into seven turnovers.
 
After an early goal by IUP's leading scorer Ally Burrows (Marcellus, N.Y./Marcellus) made it 6-1 to start the second, Lindenwood went on a 4-0 run to make it a one-goal differential and swing the momentum. The Crimson Hawks tried to hold off the rally, getting goals from Hooven and Amy Weinberg (Clarksville, Md./Atholton) to lead 8-6 with 9:52 left.
 
The Lions added goals with 5:05 and 3:29 to play, getting the go-ahead goal with 2:02 on the clock. They controlled the draw coming out of the pause in play and held onto the ball the rest of the way to clinch the comeback win.
 
IUP was outshot 23-4 in the second half alone, with Lindenwood picking up 10 draw controls to the Crimson Hawks' two.
 
Hooven scored three goals while Weinberg had a goal and assisted on four more, picked up three draw controls and had two ground balls. Carissa Smith (East Brunswick, N.J./East Brunswick) caused two turnovers and Angela Lontoc (Columbus, Ohio/Dublin Scioto) had 10 saves in the net.
 
The Crimson Hawks return to the field on Tuesday when they host Millersville at 4 p.m.
 
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP women's lacrosse on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPlacrosse.