WASHINGTON, DC (April 1, 2023) – The Susquehanna women's lacrosse team visited Catholic University on Saturday afternoon for their first away Landmark contest of the season. The high-octane offense of the Cardinals proved too much on the day, as they leveraged a second-quarter barrage enroute to a 17-9 final score, sending the River Hawks home with a loss.

A scrappy game throughout, the two teams looked on-pace for a tight contest in the opening period, with each managing just two goals as the teams felt out each other's defenses. SU would take their only lead of the game during the period, leading 2-1 for more than four minutes in the quarter. But Catholic would unlock their offensive potential in the second period, scoring five unanswered goals to take firm hold of the game's momentum and carry a 7-2 advantage into halftime.

The River Hawks appeared to have a route back into the game after a Liv Owen goal on their opening possession out of halftime, but Catholic would respond with three goals in just a minute and thirty seconds time, the third goal coming with a woman-up advantage. SU did not lie down though, getting a woman-up goal of their own less than 20 seconds later, as Heather Riefenhauser scored on an assist from Emma Kelleher. Riefenhauser then got involved again a few seconds later, assisting a goal for Hannah McNamara, cutting the lead to five. The teams would then trade goals twice, but with the score 12-7 in Catholic's favor, the Cardinals pressed on the gas pedal once more and scored four-straight goals from the end of the third and into the start of the fourth period. SU got two goals in quick succession with 6 minutes left, with McNamara and Kelsey Homberg both scoring their second goals of the game, but it was too little, too late as Catholic held the River Hawks off the board for the rest of the game.

McNamara and Homberg tied for the game-high in goals, being the only two River Hawks to score more than once, while Riefenhauser's one goal and three assists got her the team-high in points with four. Senior goalie Emmy Regan finished with the loss, making eight saves on the day. SU had a number of positives despite the loss, with their offense looking highly efficient. 15 of their 19 total shots were on goal, while they also won the draw control battle 17-12. They also will be glad to have converted on a woman-up situation with a goal, just the third time they've done so this season.

Now 6-5 overall and 0-2 in the Landmark, the River Hawks will have their final non-conference tilt of the season on Wednesday, April 5 as they travel to New Jersey to face Rowan University at 5 pm. They'll then get to return home and get back to conference action, as they'll host Elizabethtown College on Saturday, April 8 for an 11:00 am start and a chance to get their first Landmark win of the season.

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--RIVER HAWKS-