ANN ARBOR, Mich.- No. 18 Penn State women's lacrosse was unable to come back from an early deficit against No. 19 Michigan. The final score was 18-14 in favor of the Wolverines. The Nittany Lions fall to 11-6, 3-4 Big Ten while Michigan improves to 11-6, 4-3 Big Ten and advances to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
Kristin O'Neill, Lauren Saltz and Brooke Hoss led the offense with two goals each. Sammy Dupcak scooped up three ground balls and added a caused turnover and Ellie Hollin scooped one and forced two turnovers on defense.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Michigan spoke first in the opening quarter with a goal at 12:56. Penn State responded with a goal of its own to get on the board off a free position shot from Kayla Abernathy. The Wolverines put another one in followed by one from the Nittany Lions to tie the score again at 2-2 with 6:08 on the clock. A forced turnover from Dupcak and pass to Brooke Hoss gave the Nittany Lions the score.
Michigan extended its lead to four goals at 6-2 to conclude the first quarter.
Second Quarter
The Nittany Lions struck first in the second period after a scoreless first five minutes. Hoss carried the ball in herself to score her second of the day. Saltz added her first of the day carrying the ball up on a clear to cut the deficit to 6-4 with 5:21 to play.
After holding the Wolverines scoreless for nearly the entire quarter, Michigan managed two goals in the final minutes of the half to make the score 8-4 at the break.
Third Quarter
Emma Kelly came out of halftime blazing, finding the back of the net 25 seconds in. A free position goal for the Wolverines followed, but Penn State's O'Neill added two back-to-back unassisted goals to bring the score to 9-7 with 8:22 on the clock.
Michigan increased its lead to 12-7 by the conclusion of the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
A low scoring fourth quarter brought two goals from the Wolverines throughout 15 minutes of play.
The Nittany Lions added a goal in the final seconds of the game from Saltz, her second of the day, to make the final score 14-8.
OF NOTE
- O'Neill bumped her scoring streak to 21 games.
- Saltz scored a career high two goals on two shots.
- Penn State won the draw control battle 15-11.
- Saltz was responsible for six of the Nittany Lions' draws.
- Hoss was two-for-two on offense.