LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University women's lacrosse team (3-6, 3-5 PSAC West) fell to No. 25 Mercyhurst (8-3, 6-3 PSAC West), 11-7, in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division action at Charlotte E. Smith Field.
 
Prior to today's contest, the Bald Eagles honored their seven graduating seniors: Braxtin Reddinger (Hanover, Pa./New Oxford), Karli Gilbert (Perkiomenville, Pa./Boyertown), Raleigh Bateman (Hanover, Pa./New Oxford), Allison Barnes (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas), Kat Schutta (Frenchtown, N.J./Delaware Valley), Krysta Reading (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) and Addy Borkowski (Eagleville, Pa./Methacton).
 
In an entertaining first half, the score swung early 2-0 in favor of the Lakers, but a 4-1 run from the Bald Eagles gave the Haven a slight 4-3 edge with ten minutes to go in the half. The senior Gilbert netted two of the four LHU goals while fellow senior Reddinger and Caitlin Morrow (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) each grabbed a goal in the early goings. Morrow's goal, which opened the Bald Eagle scoring, came off an assist from Campbell Brant (Shoreham, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River), who also assisted on Redddinger's goal. Mercyhurst, however, fired back in the dying minutes of the first half netting four unanswered goals to take a 7-4 lead into the break.
 
Morrow scored two more goals in the second half as the Bald Eagles clawed their way back into what evolved into a defensive struggle. Both goalkeepers did everything they could to keep the opposition out as Lauren Girardi (Watertown, N.Y./Watertown) recorded 12 saves, the seventh time this season she has reached double digits, and Laker goalkeeper Kaitlyn Lippert made 11 saves to preserve the Laker lead. Despite cutting the lead to 8-7 with 22 minutes to play, the Bald Eagles were thwarted by a strong defensive effort from the Lakers who pulled away late for an 11-7 victory.
 
Leading the way for Lock Haven was the senior Gilbert, who notched three goals on eight shots. Gilbert also grabbed two ground balls, four draw controls and one caused turnover. Brant and Morrow each tallied three points as they each totaled three assists and three goals, respectively.
 
Reddinger paced the Bald Eagles with five draw controls to go along with a goal and an assist. Gracie Chaires (Darlington, Md./Harford Technical) led The Haven's efforts defensively as she forced a turnover and led LHU with three ground balls.
 
Just two regular season games remain for Lock Haven. LHU will travel to Slippery Rock Tuesday (April 27) for an important 4 p.m. PSAC West contest. The Bald Eagles will close the regular season at home on Thursday (April 29) vs. IUP at 5 p.m.