ERIE, Pa. - Mercyhurst's Maggie Newton scored the game-winning goal with 5.5 seconds left as the IUP women's lacrosse team dropped a heartbreaker to the Lakers in the quarterfinals of the 2022 PSAC Championship on Tuesday night at Saxon Stadium. 

The late goal by the Lakers ruined a second half comeback by the Crimson Hawks, as they outsored Mercyhurst 4-1 over a 10:35 time span in the fourth quarter. The run included back-to-back goals by Sarah Reustle, both on free position attempts, the latter of which gave IUP a 7-6 lead with 3:12 to play. 

Less than a minute after Reustle's go-ahead goal, the Lakers tied the score at 7-7. They would collect the ensuing draw control but a caused turnover and ground ball pickup by Reustle put the ball back in IUP's sticks with 1:40 to play. 

After the clear, IUP called a timeout and with under a minute to play drew a free position attempt. The shot by Emme Mass was saved, but Jordan Kulp intercepted Mercyhurst's clearing pass and after a few quick steps had a wide-open look at the net. However, her shot came while she was falling down and the ball unluckily hit the post, giving the Lakers the ball back with under 30 seconds left. 

Mercyhurst called a timeout and after a few passes Newton was able to get a good look at the net and scored in the bottom left corner to secure the late victory.

Who stood out
Sarah Reustle: 3 goals, 7 draw controls, 3 ground balls, 1 caused turnover
Katie Hibinger: 2 goals
Ashley Andrikanich: 12 saves 4 ground balls

Up next
The Hawks will now await word from the NCAA Selection Committee on if they are selected to the 16-team Division II tournament field. The NCAA Selection Show is Sunday, May 8 at 8:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.

Follow
For coverage of the IUP women's lacrosse program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPlacrosse and online at IUPAthletics.com.