GETTYSBURG, Pa. – The No. 8 York College women's lacrosse team erased a four-goal deficit in the first half to tie the score in the second half, but eventually surrendered a goal in the later portion of the second half to surrender an 8-7 victory to No. 6 Gettysburg College on Wednesday afternoon at Clark Field.

The Basics: 

Game Number: 9

Site: Clark Field – York, Pa.

Records: Gettysburg (6-1) / York (6-3)

Series: Gettysburg leads 3-1

How it happened:

• The Bullets raced out to a 4-0 lead within the first 10 minutes play.
• Allison Kolacy stopped the bleeding as she slipped a shot past the goalie high and to the left on a free-position shot.
• Bullets tacked on another, but 20 seconds later Megan Strauch beat her defender on the clear attempt and proceeded up the right side where she surprised the keeper with a shot from close range for her third goal of the season.
• The Bullets once again answered back and regained a four-goal lead as they led 6-2 with 8:27 left in the first half.
• Then the Spartans got the momentum shift they were looking for. After running through the offense multiple times, Melissa Meehling finally broke free on the right side and slipped a shot over the goalie's shoulder. Then, Meehling tacked on another goal 30 seconds later to give York its first back-to-back goals of the game and cut the deficit to 6-4 to closeout the first half.
• After letting up an early goal in the second half, York responded two minutes later when Claudia DiVenti buried her shot in the back of the net on a free-position attempt.
• Meehling recorded her third goal of the game as she bounced a shot in from the right wing to cut the deficit to 7-6.
• Kayleigh Phillips knotted the score up 7-7 with just under 19 minutes left to play as she converted on a free-position attempt.
• Ten minutes passed and the Spartans caught an unfortunate break as goalie Rachel Donovan was issued a yellow card and had to leave the field. Less than a minute later, Gettysburg scored to go ahead 8-7 and held on through the final eight minutes to win the game.

Spartan Leaders:

Melissa Meehling – 3 points on 3 goals, 2 caused turnovers

Claudia DiVenti – 4 draw controls, 2 ground balls

Nicole Clauter – 2 ground balls

Bullet Leaders:

Amanda Borucki – 3 points on 1 goal and 2 assists

Katie Landry – 2 goals

Maggie Welsh – 3 draw controls

Christina Wright – 2 ground balls

Brooke Holechek – 2 ground balls

Goalie Comparison

Bailey Pilder (GC) – 18:09 min, 0 saves, 0 GA, Win (1-0)

Rachel Donovan (YCP) – 58:36 min, 4 saves, 7 GA, Loss (3-2)

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Shannon Keeler (GC) – 41:51, 2 saves, 7 GA

Abby Smith (YCP) – 0 saves, 1 GA

Game Notes:

York's three losses this season have all been against an opponent ranked no lower than seventh in the nation ... the Spartans have lost those games by a combined total of four goals … the last two meetings between these two teams have both been decided by one goal as York won by a score of 8-7 in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last season … York held Gettysburg under its 11.14 goals-per-game average and it's just the second time this season the Bullets have been held under a double-digit goal total … the Spartans rank seventh in the country in scoring defense as they are giving up 5.00 goals per game to opponents … York came into the game averaging 9.75 goals per game on offense and today was the fifth game below that average … a total of 12 ground balls were recorded in today's game as the two teams combined for just 15 turnovers … York's eight turnovers ties its season-low, minus the Wesley game and Gettysburg also tied its season-low with seven turnovers … the Spartans excelled on free-position opportunities as they went 3-for-3, their highest percentage of the season … York's 12 total shots ties a season-low … Meehling tied her career-high for points and goals as she recorded her second career hat trick.

What's Next:

York returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Marymount for a Capital Athletic Conference tilt starting at 1:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of David Sinclair