SCRANTON, Pa. – The University of Scranton women's lacrosse team (3-2) battled for all 60 minutes, but saw a late rally come up just short in an 11-8 setback against the No. 10 TCNJ Lions (3-0) on a rainy Wednesday afternoon at Weiss Field in Scranton.

A goal from sophomore Molly McCarren (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern) off a feed from senior Erin Reich (Rockville Centre, N.Y./South Side) brought the Royals within a pair at 9-7 with 8:21 to play before TCNJ scored the next two goals in the game to put things out of reach at the 2:44 mark.

The Lions opened the scoring with 12 minutes to play and Kira Sides struck just 0:31 later which ooened up an early 2-0 edge. Reich then got the Royals on the board with her first goal of the contest, but TCNJ tallied the final two goals in the stanza to make it a 4-1 game after one. At the 12:45 mark of the second quarter, Reich struck for her second of the game with an assist from senior Devyn Tanajewski (Ringwood, N.J./Lakeland Regional) that brought Scranton within a pair at 4-2. TCNJ scored four of the final five goals in the quarter and a late goal from freshman Eileen Hewitt (Downingtown, Pa./Dowingtown East) made it an 8-3 game at the half.

After TCNJ opened the scoring in the third quarter, this was where the Royals' comeback began as a McCarren goal began a stretch of four consecutive goals for the hosts. Hewitt, McCarren and freshman Jillian Lopez (Sayville, N.Y./St. Anthony's) all scored over the final 11:01 of the third quarter to bring head coach Chrissy Trescavage's team within three at 9-6. McCarren then completed the hat trick with her afore-mentioned goal at the 8:21 mark of the fourth period, but Scranton's furious comeback came up just short.

For McCarren, the hat trick was her first of the season and third of her career. Hewitt and Reich added two goals apiece on the day.

Tanajewski recorded three assists and six draw controls, while Hewitt tallied four draw controls of her own and collected a team-high four ground balls.

Sides and Marissa Lucca had a hat trick apiece to lead TCNJ.

Seniors Grace Dabulas (Scotch Plains, N.J./Westfield) and Karina Roettger (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) caused four turnovers apiece for the Royals and sophomore goalie Lauren Boldis (Merrick, N.Y./Sanford H. Calhoun) made six saves.

Julia Charest recorded seven saves for the Lions.

The Royals are back in action on Wednesday, Mar. 13 against Stevenson at 10 a.m. on the campus of Saint Leo University in Clearwater, Fla.

--ROYALS--