SELINSGROVE, PA – Susquehanna University women's lacrosse waged a competitive first half Tuesday night hosting Saint Mary's College of Maryland. Holding as much as a 6-4 lead early in the second quarter, the visiting Seahawks scored three straight to go into halftime up 7-6. Little did anyone realize what was in store the second half as SMCM controlled the flow by outscoring the River Hawks 11-0 in the second half as the defending United East champions drew an 18-6 victory. It marked the first-ever regular season matchup between the two Hawk schools, but not the first time they've ever seen each other as the two scrimmaged at Sassafras Field back on Feb. 10. 

Allie Kutler scored Susquehanna's first two goals of the game, erasing a two-goal deficit at the outset to tie the game at 2-2 early in the first. Hannah McNamara and Emma Kelleher each delivered go-ahead goals over a seesaw opening quarter that saw SU up at the first break 4-3. The Seahawks got the first goal in the second to tie the game, only for Kutler's third score of the day and Caitlin Harvey's first score of 2024 giving the maroon and orange a 6-4 lead with 10:15 remaining in the half. That would be the end of the line for SU's scoring, though, as the Seahawks tied the game up at six with under six minutes to play in the half, then Bella Dunigan offering the go-ahead for SMCM with under one minute before halftime.

A series of mishaps and penalties in the second half sent both sides into a flurry, but it would be the Seahawks that tilted the game in their direction the rest of the way, tacking on four unanswered scores in the third quarter and seven more in the fourth before a running clock was initialized halfway through the fourth quarter. At night's end St. Mary's outshot the River Hawks 37-17, although Susquehanna fared better with its accuracy with 15 of their shots coming on goal to the Seahawks' 29. Goalie Aerin O'Brien posted 11 saves on the night in a full 60 minutes of action. Kutler added to her hat trick with two assists for a five-point day, including one goal off a free position. Kelsey Homberg and Liv Owen each added one assist.

The River Hawks move on to the second of their four-game home stand this Saturday hosting McDaniel with a noon opening draw. They then welcome Alvernia Monday, Mar. 4 at 6 p.m., then Rowan Saturday, Mar. 9.