Box Score EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. -- The third-seed Mercyhurst women's lacrosse erased a second-half deficit for the second straight day, but ultimately fell to top-seed East Stroudsburg, 10-9, in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament final on Sunday.
Much like they did in their semifinal win over West Chester, the 18th-ranked Lakers stormed back from a four-goal deficit during the final 10 minutes of regulation. However, this time, the opponent had an answer as 13th-ranked ESU's T.J. Jefferis converted the game-winning goal with 14 seconds left.
Kristin Anderson and
Carly Zimmerman had similar lines, finishing with three goals, three draw controls and two caused turnovers apiece for Mercyhurst (13-5). Anderson also had an assist.
Janelle Williams added a goal to the MU effort while
Taylor Izzo dished two assists and
Lacey Netti made one assist.
Gabby Gravino stopped seven shots in goal.
After taking the game's initial lead on a goal by Anderson, the Lakers tailed for much of the contest. ESU's Emily Fitzsimmons scored a pair of goals in the final two minutes of the first half, pushing the hosts' lead to 3-1 at intermission.
During the second, East Stroudsburg (17-2) built a four-goal lead, going up 8-4 on a goal by Jefferis Williams answered for Mercyhurst before Emma Rufalo forged a 9-5 score with 11:58 remaining.
Then, the Lakers battled back, starting with an Anderson goal with nine minutes to go. Zimmerman trimmed the deficit to 9-7 with 7:39 remaining and then -- in a 28-span -- Williams and Zimmerman had goals to tie the contest at 9-all with 1:57 on the clock.
East Stroudsburg won the ensuing draw control before the teams traded possession four times until Jefferis put the Warriors in the lead.
Zimmerman won the final draw and the Lakers charged down the field, but a shot at the buzzer by Williams missed its mark as ESU survived Mercyhurst's final attack.
Fitzsimmons was East Stroudsburg's leading goal-scorer with three scores. Jefferis, Rufalo and Chessie Rahman added two goals apiece in support of winning goaltender Tatyana Petteway, who had five saves.
