BALTIMORE – The No. 25 Penn State women's lacrosse team was defeated by No. 8 Loyola Saturday afternoon, 14-10 at the Ridley Athletic Complex.
Penn State moves to 2-4 (0-0 Big Ten) on the season, while Loyola remains undefeated on the season, 4-0 (0-0 Patriot). The Greyhounds lead the all-time series 9-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter – PSU 3, Loyola 5
Loyola netted two goals to open the first quarter before Gretchen Gilmore scored back-to-back goals within one minute of one another. The Greyhounds scored three more times before the end of the quarter. Kristin O'Neill was able to launch one past the Loyola keeper to close out the first.
Second Quarter – PSU 6, Loyola 9
Gilmore finished off her hat trick 45 seconds into the second quarter from an O'Neill assist. The senior was able to cut a defender and put the ball into the back of the net.
O'Neill and Gilmore took advantage of scoring opportunities to wrap up the second quarter.
Third Quarter – PSU 8, Loyola 12
Brooke Hoss was able to capitalize on a free position goal to cut the Nittany Lions' deficit by four. O'Neill completed her hat trick with two minutes left in the quarter from a free position attempt.
Fourth Quarter – PSU 10, Loyola 14
Scoring was back and forth in the final quarter with O'Neill scoring her fourth goal of the game and Lauren Saltz scoring the fourth of her career.
GAME NOTES
>> Goalkeeper Ashley Bowan made her first start of the season. The junior faced 18 shots and made four saves.
>> Graduate student Regan Nealon made her first start of the season.
>> Loyola held the 36-29 advantage on shots, while Penn State caused seven turnovers to the Greyhounds 4.
>> The defense scooped up six groundballs.
>> Gilmore picked up her second hat trick of the season and the ninth of her career.
>> O'Neill collected her fourth hat trick of the season and the 25th of her career. O'Neill also had a season high two assist in the game.
UP NEXT
Penn State will begin Big Ten play at Rutgers Saturday, March 9 at 1 p.m.
