BALTIMORE, Md.- No. 20 Women's Lacrosse falls to No. 10 Stony Brook 12-8 in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. The Nittany Lions conclude their season at 11-7, 3-3 Big Ten. This marks Penn State's 26thtournament appearance and first since 2018.
Despite Kristin O'Neill's ninth hat trick of the season and three tie scores throughout the game, the offense could not push past the Seawolves.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
Stony Brook got off to an early 3-0 start throughout the first five minutes of the game. The Nittany Lions found their first goal off a pass from Brooke Barger to Emma Kelly to spark what would be a 5-0 run.
Lions' goalie Ashley Bowan made two crucial saves to close out the first quarter score at 3-1.
Second Quarter
Penn State ignited a scoring hot streak in the second quarter scoring four more unanswered goals. A behind-the-back goal from Brooke Hoss started the stretch. Kara Nealon picked up an assist on the goal. Another goal for Hoss, while diving to the ground, tied the score at 3-3 with 8:20 to play. Regan Nealon found the back of the cage next derived from a Hoss assist. Kristin O'Neill got in on the action with a free position goal to take a 5-3 with 3:30 to play.
The Seawolves answered with three quick goals to grab the lead back going into halftime at 6-5.
Third Quarter
The Nittany Lions struck first in the third period. Meghan Murray ran her way in for an unassisted goal at 12:13 to tie the score at sixes.
Stony Brook managed two goals to push ahead by two with eight minutes remaining.
A goal from O'Neill off a feed from Kayla Abernathy brought Penn State back within one at 8-7 with 3:51 remaining in the quarter.
A free position goal following a yellow card assessed to Murray gave the Seawolves a 9-7 advantage going into the final 15 minutes.
Fourth Quarter
Stony Brook found three goals throughout the final stanza. The Nittany Lions found the back of the net in the final 30 seconds to leave the score at 12-8 with the Seawolves victorious.
OF NOTE
- O'Neill bumped her scoring streak to 22 consecutive games with her ninth hat trick of the year total 51 goals on the season.
- This was Penn State's 26th NCAA Tournament appearance.
- Hoss had her 10th multi-goal performance of the season.
- Bowan made nine saves in goal and scooped teo ground balls.
- Ellie Hollin led the defense with two ground balls, three draw controls and three caused turnovers.