LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Bald Eagles' offensive unit surged late in the first half and they added eight second-half goals as the Lock Haven University women's lacrosse team (2-3, 2-3 PSAC West) recorded an important Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division win, 19-12, over visiting Slippery Rock University (3-4, 2-4 PSAC West).
The game marked just the second home game of the season for Lock Haven, who improved to 2-0 on the home turf at Charlotte Smith Field.
Trailing 7-6 with just over eight minutes to play in the opening half, the Bald Eagles scored five straight goals in the final six minutes of the first half. The five straight LHU goals pushed Lock Haven's halftime lead to 11-7.
Behind an-around brilliant offensive outing from
Braxtin Reddinger (Hanover, Pa./New Oxford), the LHU attack struck for eight more goals in the second half.
Reddinger finished with a game-high seven goals as she was nearly unstoppable. Three of those seven goals came in the final 4:14 of the first half as she sparked that late first-half surge that played a major role in the outcome of the game. The Bald Eagles carried that momentum into the second frame.
Caitlin Morrow (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) scored four goals and dished out an assist.
Krysta Reading (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) and
Karli Gilbert (Perkiomenville, Pa./Boyertown) each scored twice for Lock Haven.
Campbell Brant (Shoreham, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River) dished out four assists and
Casey Hibbard (Ontario, N.Y./Wayne Central) added a goal and two assists.
Josey Shaffer (Westminster, Md./Manchester Valley),
Addy Borkowski (Eagleville, Pa./Methacton) and
Zoe Waddell (Catonsville, Md./Catonsville) all scored for The Haven as well, netting a goal apiece.
Standout goalkeeper
Lauren Girardi (Watertown, N.Y./Watertown) made 12 saves on the way to the win.
Lock Haven's defense was up to the task as well.
Gracie Chaires (Darlington, Md./Harford Technical) led the way with three caused turnovers and two ground balls.
Elizabeth Newman (Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey) had two caused turnovers and a ground ball.
UP NEXT:
LHU will head to Gannon University next Saturday, April 10 for a 7 p.m. PSAC West clash. Back on March 17, Lock Haven topped Gannon, 19-6.
SCHEDULE NOTE:
Please note, Lock Haven's scheduled 2021 home-and-home PSAC West series with Edinboro has officially been canceled and the two games will not be made up. On April 1, the Bald Eagles announced that they have added a home game on Friday, April 16 as they will host Shepherd at 4 p.m.
