YORK, Pa. - The No. 7 York College women's lacrosse team handed Misericordia its first loss of the season in a high-scoring 21-13 victory Wednesday night at Kinsley Field.

Team records

Misericordia 3-1

#7 York 6-0

How it happened

The Spartans faced their first deficit of the season as the Cougars took a 2-1 lead less than four minutes into the first half. Madison Marciniak and Kiersten Blanchard pulled York back into the lead with two goals 27 seconds apart before the Cougars pulled even at 3-3 with 22:22 left in the half.

York broke open a little breathing room courtesy of a three-goal run by Rachel Della, Celly Arthur and Jenna Cholowinski before Misericordia pulled back within two near the midway point of the first half.

The Spartans would go on to end the first half on a six-goal run to take a 14-5 lead into halftime. A key moment on that run was when Cholowinski broke up a clear attempt and then scored on a breakaway to make the score 11-5. It was the boost the Spartans needed at that time to give them the psychological edge they had been searching for to that point.

The big lead the Spartans built up in the first half dwindled down to six as the Cougars ripped off three unanswered tallies in the first five minutes of the second half. Coach Jen Muston settled the team with a timeout and out of the break the Spartans found their rhythm once again. York controlled the next four-straight draws, which led to four goals in a two-minute span as the Spartans owned a 18-8 advantage with over 20 minutes left to play.

The Cougars would not go down without a fight as they scored five times in the final 16 minutes, but playing catch up proved to be too tall of a task down the stretch.

Up next

The Spartans hit the road for the first time in 27 days for a MAC crossover matchup at Stevens on Saturday. First draw is slated for 1 p.m.

Notes

The Spartans improve to 5-0 against Misericordia in the all-time series … York is currently riding a nine-game win streak dating back to last season and is one win away from tying the program record … York collected a season-high 23 draw controls which is tied for third-most in program history … Celly Arthur established a new career-high with four goals on the night … Madison Marciniak also set a new career-high with her four tallies on the night … Jenna Cholowinski established a new career-high with eight draw controls … Emmy Bryden posted a season-high five draw controls in tonight's game.