SELINSGROVE, Pa. (March 8, 2023) – The Susquehanna University women's lacrosse team hosted Ursinus Wednesday in a fierce non-conference battle. The Bears appeared to have the advantage early on with an 8-4 halftime lead before the River Hawks went on a 7-1 scoring run in the third quarter to move ahead and take a 13-11 victory.
Liv Owen had an incredible day with eight points on two goals and six assists, scoring one and assisting five of SU's seven-goal third quarter. The defense also stepped up to allow just three goals, spurred on by goalkeeper
Aerin O'Brien posting nine saves after taking over in goal in the second half from
Emmy Regan, who has six saves in the opening half.
Heather Riefenhauser finished with six points on two goals and four assists, while
Abby Andrus led in goals with a hat trick.
Susquehanna scored the first goal of the day by Andrus from
Nikki Genovese before Ursinus reeled off five straight scores to close out the first quarter ahead 5-1. The River Hawks threatened to tie the game in the second period with three consecutive strikes from
Hannah McNamara,
Kelsey Homberg, and Andrus. Ursinus, however, matched this effort with three unanswered to lead 8-4 at the half.
The River Hawks began their third quarter seven-goal onslaught by way of Riefenhauser from Owen three-and-a-half minutes in. Owen assisted the next two scores by Andrus and
Allie Kutler to put , then scored one of her own off a pass from Riefenhauser to tie the game 8-8. Riefenhauser then put SU back up with an unassisted score, followed by
Caitlin Harvey adding to the River Hawks' lead thanks to another Owen assist. Ursinus broke their silence with a one-up to cut the lead down to one, only for Homberg to push the lead back up to two, assisted again by Owen. Kutler and Owen opened the fourth with a score each to lead 12-8. Ursinus answered with two scores, but were denied any chance to get any closer.
Susquehanna will head down to Clearwater, FL next week for matchups against Shenandoah Monday, Mar. 13 and University of New England Tuesday, Mar. 14.
