LANCASTER, Pa. - The No. 3 Salisbury University
women's lacrosse team suffered its first defeat of the season at
the hands of No. 5 Franklin & Marshall College 8-7 on Saturday
afternoon before a crowd of 545.
The Diplomats (9-0) jumped out to an early two-goal lead in the
first half thanks to goals scored by Jen Pritchard and Ashley
Bevington. Pritchard led all goal scorers with three goals, all of
which came in the first half, including the last goal before the
half with eight seconds left on the clock as F&M led 6-4 at the
break.
Salisbury (10-1) tied the score at two apiece midway through the
first half as the maroon and gold received goals from sophomore
Robyn Bishop and senior captain Ani
Khatchatoorian.
SU would play from behind the rest of the close nit game as the
Gulls pulled within one goal, four times, but watched the Dips
increase the margin back to two goals.
Freshman goalie Natalie Pappas kept the Sea
Gulls close with eight saves, six in the first half. Leading scorer
Sue Ackermann was held without a goal for only the
second time this season as the junior passed out a game-high four
assists.
Senior Natalie Degele and junior
Jessica Liston each had two goals for Salisbury.
Liston's second goal with 4:17 left to play pulled SU within a goal
at 8-7. However, the Dips and goalie Lidia Sanza (six saves) were
able to hold off the Gulls in the final minutes and secure the
victory.
Salisbury returns to action on Tuesday, April 3, against Ursinus
College in Collegeville, Pa. under the lights with a 7 p.m. game.
SU will then come home for two games versus conference opponent St.
Mary's (Md.) College and rival powerhouse The College of New
Jersey.
