ERIE, Pa. – IUP women's lacrosse received contributions from different phases of the game when it mattered, eventually taking control and holding off Mercyhurst for a 12-6 road win in Erie on Wednesday night.
 
In a rematch of last season's PSAC Quarterfinals, IUP (4-3, 3-0) used a stretch of six unanswered goals spanning the entire second quarter and into the third, battling back and holding the lead throughout the second half.
 
Hat tricks from Leah Moyer and Jordan Kulp, along with a five-point outing from Kathryn Burke guided the Crimson Hawks offensively, while Maddy Schramm collected seven saves and Maggie Marsteller scooped up a staggering 11 ground balls.
 
Mercyhurst (2-4, 0-2) answered back with three consecutive goals in the first quarter, holding the lead until the closing moments of the second stanza. IUP stretched its advantage to 9-4 through the end of three before the Lakers narrowed the gap in an up and down matchup.

The Hawks were particularly effective in the free-position department, converting on four of seven chances from the eight-meter arc. IUP also dictated the advantage in the draw control, holding a 17-5 edge in that category. Sarah Reustle collected seven draw controls herself, matching the Mercyhurst total, while Chantal Jimenez added five more for IUP. 
 
Despite some strong defense, IUP found itself on the comeback trail for much of the first half, eventually taking the lead with consecutive tallies about a minute apart near the end of the second quarter. Moyer registered a pair of IUP goals as Burke dished out two assists for the Crimson Hawks, while Reustle was held scoreless with five ground balls over the first 30 minutes.  
 
Both goalies came up with a pair of strong saves early before each team found the back of the net over the initial seven minutes of the contest. Burke stayed strong on the ball before dishing off to Emme Mass on her right for a 1-0 IUP lead before the Lakers countered back with the next three markers.
 
Trailing 3-1, IUP had a final chance go wide with time winding down in the opening frame after going the length of the field. The Crimson Hawks held the edge in shots into the second quarter, looking to battle back from the early deficit. In transition, Jimenez had a low shot denied by Mercyhurst goalie Paige Maneri at 11:21 of the second. It marked one of seven saves in a busy first half for Maneri, who kept the Lakers in front for a large chunk of the opening 30 minutes.
 
Moyer sliced in through the middle before placing a shot into the cage and bringing IUP back to within one at 3-2 in the second quarter. The Hawks worked the score tied with just over one minute showing in the opening half as Moyer finished off a feed from Burke at the 1:05 mark of the second.
 
With a player advantage, IUP cashed in on a late free position chance from straightaway as Kulp charged in for the go-ahead goal at 4-3 heading into the intermission.
 
A few minutes into the third, IUP had a stretch of free-position chances before Burke converted from the right wing for a 5-3 advantage. It was all part of six unanswered goals for IUP in building a 7-3 lead before the Lakers stopped the surge with a response tally in the third quarter.
 
IUP put its efficiency on the eight-meter on display again as Macenzie Haragos and Reustle each converted off the free position for a 9-4 lead. Mercyhurst opened the fourth with a pair of goals, trimming its deficit back to three at 9-6.
 
The Lakers continued to press forward in the fourth, including a chance the caromed off the post. IUP weathered the storm, keeping Mercyhurst at bay on the defensive end. It eventually led to crucial marker from Reustle at the 6:01 mark of the fourth, racing in and evading a collapsing group of Mercyhurst defenders for a 10-6 IUP lead.
 
Some quick ball movement off the clear resulted in a finish from the left side from Kulp, coming off a slick feed from Brenna Whiteside for some separation at 11-6. Burke rounded out the scoring at the 1:10 mark of the fourth quarter.
 
Up Next
IUP is back on the road, continuing conference play at Slippery Rock on Saturday, March 25 at 1:00 p.m.
 
Follow
For coverage of the IUP women's lacrosse program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPlacrosse and online at IUPAthletics.com. 

 

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