SELINSGROVE, PA (February 25, 2023) -- The Susquehanna University women's lacrosse team scored six of the final seven goals of the game Saturday against Misericordia, including a game-winner from Makenzy Backus with 3:41 to go to lift the River Hawks to an 11-10 non-conference victory in action from Sassafrax Field. 

The game was one of multiple runs, as Susquehanna (2-1) started the contest with four of the first five goals of the contest as Liv Owen scored once and assisted on a pair of tallies to make it 4-1 with 11:15 to play in the first quarter. From that point on, Misericordia (1-2) finished the half on a 6-1 run to lead 7-5 at the intermission following a goal from Michelle Torzilli.

The Cougars would continue their momentum in the beginning of the second half, as Torzilli and Kylee Cush tallied to make the score 9-5 with 12:07 to play in the third. First-year Abby Andrus would start to take over, as the newcomer scored three of the next four goals with a Heather Riefenhauser goal mixed in to tie the game at nine with 14:06 to play. 

The River Hawks would force a turnover on their next defensive possession, and Owen tallied on the next possession to make the score 10-9 SU with just under 13 minutes left. The Cougars would tie the game with 9:34 to go on another Torzilli goal, and nearly regained the lead by Emmy Regan made a big save to keep the game tied. 

With under five minutes to go Madi Mitchell forced a timeout and Nikki Genovese would set up Backus for the eventual game-winner. The Cougars got the ensuring draw control, but Liz Hordesky caused a turnover and Susquehanna was able to kill some more time off the clock. MU had another possession, but SU forced another turnover and the River Hawks controlled the ball the rest of the way to clinch the win. 

Andrus finished with a team-high four goals, scoring on all four shots she took, while Owen added two goals and two assists along with three ground balls. Allie Kutler tallied a goal and an assist with three draw controls, and Kelsey Homberg finished with a goal, assist, five ground balls and three draw controls. Hordesky finished with two caused turnovers, and Regan picked up six ground balls to go with two caused turnovers. 

Torzilli had a game-high six points on four goals and two assists, and Lena Conway had 13 saves and five ground balls in the loss for Misericordia. SU outshot Misericordia 34-18 on the day, while finishing succesful on 14 of 16 clear attempts. 

The River Hawks will be back on the road on Wednesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. in Reading, PA, taking on Alvernia University in non-conference action.