ERIE, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's lacrosse team couldn't hold onto a seven-goal lead in the second half as Gannon University closed the game on a 10-2 run and scored the game-winner with 12 seconds left to complete an improbable comeback for a 16-15 win in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division game Wednesday at McConnell Family Stadium.
 
The Rock (6-3, 2-2 PSAC) jumped out to a 13-6 halftime lead and were comfortably in control of the game, but unraveled in the final 30 minutes as Gannon (4-5, 2-3 PSAC) stormed back into the game by outscoring SRU 10-2 in the second half.
 
Slippery Rock had multiple chances to extend its lead, but tallied just two goals on 17 total shot attempts in the second half. On the flip side, Gannon scored 10 goals on 18 total shot attempts in the period. The Golden Knights didn't own a single lead for more than 59 minutes of the game, but scored with 12 seconds left to take their first lead and won the final draw control to post a 16-15 win.
 
Gannon took advantage of foul trouble all day by the SRU defense, scoring more than half of its goals on free position attempts with nine goals from the 8-meter arc. The Golden Knights finished the game with a 35-34 edge in total shots, while The Rock posted a 28-25 advantage in shots on goal. Gannon also finished with edges of 18-17 in draw controls and 19-17 in ground balls.
 
Slippery Rock got eight points from Jamie DiCarlo, who scored a career-high seven goals and handed out one assist. All eight of her points came in the first half. Katie Dlugosz added four goals and one assist, while Brooke Kelly scored two goals and handed out two assists and Emily Benham tallied one goal and one assist.
 
Camryn Whipple scored one goal and Charleigh Rondeau added one assist to cap the scorers. Rondeau also led SRU with six draw controls.
 
Gillian O'Rourke made six saves and allowed 13 goals while playing most of the game. Izzie Sutton came on in relief to open the fourth quarter and allowed three goals while making no saves. She was replaced by O'Rourke after Gannon tied the game at 14-14 with 9:10 to play.

SRU regained a lead, 15-14 with a goal from Dlugosz with 6:30 to play, but Gannon evened the game back up at 15-15 with 4:07 to play. The Rock had two possessions to find the winning goal, but turned the ball over once and had one shot saved with just under a minute to go, springing Gannon forward for the winning possession.
 
Gannon goalie Cheyenne Jess came on with just under seven minutes left in the second quarter and carried her team to a win, allowing six goals and recording 10 saves for a .625 save percentage. Starter Kendra Delissio allowed nine goals and made three saves before being pulled.
 
Macy Hepditch, who scored the game-winner, matched DiCalro's scoreline for game-high honors with seven goals and one assist to lead the Golden Knight attack.  
 
Slippery Rock will look to bounce back when it travels to Lock Haven Saturday for a third straight road game. First draw is set for 1 p.m.
 
 
 

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