GREENSBURG, Pa. – IUP women's lacrosse used a final charge to get back within striking distance, unable to complete the road comeback in a 15-12 defeat against 23rd-ranked Seton Hill on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Playing without leading scorer and captain Sarah Reustle, IUP (7-4, 5-1) could not weather an early storm on the road in a battle for first place in the PSAC Western division. Seton Hill (8-3) stormed out to a 6-0 lead by creating some separation early in the game, part of a run that spanned into the second quarter.
 
It marked the sixth consecutive win for the Griffins, winning six of the last seven meetings with the Crimson Hawks. Outscoring Seton Hill by a 5-2 margin in the fourth, IUP got back within three goals on two occasions.
 
Kathryn Burke tallied five goals on eight shots, with Chantal Jimenez adding 10 draw controls. Jordan Kulp dealt out three more assists and added a pair of goals, while Sami Shutt guided the defensive effort with four ground balls and three draw controls.
 
Burke provided the scoring offense for IUP in the second, netting three of the game's next five goals with IUP trailing 8-3.
 
The Griffins dictated possession for much of the opening half, particularly in the first quarter, to build up a lead against visiting IUP. Alexi Crosby had a low chance denied in the slot with under three minutes showing in the opening half. The Crimson Hawks had one final free position chance denied from Leah Moyer just before the first half expired.
 
Moyer sliced the IUP deficit to 8-4 with the opening tally of the second half, coming off a feed from Kulp. The Hawks again responded to stay within striking distance off a marker by Brenna Whiteside at 8:48 in the third, trimming the SHU lead to 10-5.
 
Burke stopped a stretch of consecutive SHU markers with her fourth of the game late in the third quarter off the free position. The Crimson Hawks beat the third quarter horn, placing a tally in the back of the net just in the nick of time on a tally from Kulp. IUP carried the momentum into the early stages of the fourth as Kulp converted for her second consecutive marker.
 
The Griffins stayed in front despite IUP battling back in the fourth quarter. Maddy Schramm notched 12 saves in a busy outing between the pipes for the Crimson Hawks.
 
Up Next
IUP looks to bounce back on Friday, April 7 against Gannon at Miller Stadium. First draw is slated for 4:00 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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