Elmira, NY – The Elmira College Women's Lacrosse team put up a valiant effort but fell just short dropping a 6-5 decision to visiting University of Scranton Thursday afternoon at Campus Field. The win improves the Royals to 11-4 overall, while the loss drops the Soaring Eagles to 7-5.
 
The first half was a tightly contested 30 minutes of play as neither team could gain much of an advantage. The Soaring Eagles opened the game with two straight scores in the first 63 seconds of play as classmates Meghan Pass '12 (Owego, NY -- Owego Free Academy) and Lindsay Mitchell '12 (Arnold, MD -- Arnold) tallied goals 23 seconds apart. However, after those scores EC's top two point women were held scoreless the rest of the game, as Scranton began applying double teams each time Pass or Mitchell touched the ball. The Royals immediately responded with two scores to even it at 2-2 just over three minutes in. EC hung tough and a pair of Marissa Mongillo '15 (Shelton, CT -- Trumbull) markers helped the Purple and Gold regain a two goal lead. However, Scranton closed the half with two goals, including a score when Elmira had an extra attacker to knot the game at 4-4 at intermission.
 
Just over four minutes into the second half Jilliana DePaolera registered her second score of the game, giving the Royals a 5-4 lead. Scranton held that lead for a 21 minute span in the second half before Marki Michaels '13 (Manchester, NY -- Midlakes) cashed in making a great play. Royal goalie Emily Towey came out of net to try and double Michaels, but committed a foul meaning she started behind Michaels on the restart. The third year attacker made a quick move and beat Towey to the front of the net, putting home the equalizer with 6:10 remaining. A minute and a half later DePaolera recorded her third score of the contest to put the Royals ahead for good as EC couldn't quite create the tying score.
 
Mongillo led the Soaring Eagle attack with two goals, one assist and three caused turnovers, while Mitchell, Pass and Michaels each tallied a score. Defender Rebecca Matturro '14 (Smithtown, NY -- Smithtown) led EC with seven ground balls and four caused turnovers, while classmates Jessica Blinkinsop '14 (Temecula, CA -- Great Oak) and Samantha Risi '14 (Coopersburg, PA -- Southern Lehigh) tallied five ground balls apiece. Mary Kate Gellerman '13 (Frederick, MD -- Urbana) played all 60 minutes between the pipes for Elmira, making nine saves.
 
Scranton held a slight 25-20 shots advantage, while EC controlled ground balls (49-40) and draw controls (9-4). Both teams were 1-for-5 on free position shots and Elmira turned the ball over 30 times compared to just 18 for the Royals.
 
 
Scranton 6 Elmira 5
Box Score