The Georgetown University women’s lacrosse team fell to the University of Pennsylvania Quakers 11-10 in a close matchup March 15 as a late fourth quarter goal secured the narrow win for the Quakers at Tierney Field in Sparks Glencoe, Md.
Georgetown (5-3) struggled to preserve their lead against Penn (3-4) in the nonconference matchup. The Hoyas led for much of the game, holding a 2-goal advantage at halftime. Yet, Georgetown was unable to hold off Penn’s late offensive charge in the final minutes.
Penn struck first, scoring on the first possession of the game with a goal from midfielder Mary Sack. Georgetown quickly responded, with first-year attacker Molly Davies scoring the Hoyas’ first goal with a pass from behind the net to even the score at 1-1 midway through the first quarter.
The first period remained back-and-forth, with both teams exchanging goals and defensive stops. Penn briefly regained the lead following a penalty opportunity, but senior attacker Gracie Driggs converted a scoring chance off an intercepted pass on the opposite side of the field to tie the game at 2-2.
Georgetown took their first lead when senior attacker Molly Byrne scored with just over a minute remaining. Penn answered in the final seconds, scoring off a penalty to close the first quarter tied at 3-3.
Georgetown came out on top in the second quarter, capitalizing on multiple Penn turnovers and strong ball movement throughout the midfield. Goals from three different Georgetown attackers helped the Hoyas extend their lead to 8-5 midway through the quarter. Penn responded with 2 late goals to close the gap, but after a yellow card Georgetown converted an 8-meter opportunity with just seven seconds left to charge ahead 9-7 into halftime.
Georgetown Head Coach Caitlyn Phipps said the team focused on playing faster after tying the first quarter.
“After the first quarter we said to the whole team both offensively and defensively that we were capable of playing faster and attacking harder,” Phipps told The Hoya. “We were able to capitalize on those opportunities which just gave us some of that momentum in the second quarter.”
The third quarter highlighted the Hoyas’ defense as turnovers and saves from both goalkeepers allowed only 1 goal on each side. Georgetown kept their advantage as sophomore attacker Sophia Loschert scored with just over a minute remaining, extending Georgetown’s lead to 10-8 heading into the final period.
Penn mounted their comeback in the fourth quarter, in total scoring 3 unanswered goals. The Quakers cut the deficit to 1 early in the period with 2 strong goals from attacker Catherine Berkery and a penalty opportunity, before tying the game at 10-10 with just over eight minutes remaining. Penn took the lead on a penalty opportunity with 4:27 left, making it 11-10.
Georgetown stayed competitive in the closing minutes, creating several offensive opportunities and forcing a crucial save from the Penn goalkeeper. The Hoyas pulled their goalkeeper in the final seconds in an attempt to regain possession, but Penn maintained control of the ball and ran out the shot clock to secure the win.
The Hoyas struggled to recover from several turnovers late in the game as Penn capitalized on their opportunities.
Phipps said those late mistakes were costly.
“We kind of had some mental mistakes and turnovers — that we never put our foot down and made a change; we let those compile on,” Phipps said.
Despite the loss, Loschert skillfully led the Georgetown offense with a hat trick, while Driggs won 2 draw controls to move into second place in program history with 224 career draw controls. First-year midfielder Betsy Burton was also named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll after recording a career-high 4 caused turnovers and 3 ground balls, highlighting Georgetown’s strong defensive run in the third quarter.
Georgetown will look to rebound as the Hoyas open Big East play against Marquette University (5-3) March 21 at Valley Fields in Milwaukee, Wis.
