Box Score
ERIE, Pa. - Tenth-ranked Gannon University held off a furious rally at the end of the game to upset No. 1 West Chester, sending the defending champions to their second loss in as many days, in a PSAC crossover women's lacrosse match Sunday afternoon.
West Chester (6-2) experienced its first losing streak since dropping two straight back in 2006 after falling to No. 6 Mercyhurst on Saturday. Gannon (8-2) improves its win streak to six straight in the process.
The weekend trip to Erie, Pa., marked the end of a season-opening eight-game road swing for the Golden Rams, who open a six-game homestand on Wednesday against Kutztown.
Gina DiDomenicis scored the second of her two tallies on the day with 1:51 left in the contest that pulled West Chester to within one, 14-3. However, the equalizer would not come. The Golden Rams outscored the Golden Knights by a 6-2 margin over the final 15 minutes of the game. But, the visitors could not complete the comeback bid.
Gannon went on a 5-0 run in the first half that opened up a 9-4 advantage for the hosts. WCU responded with three straight markers before the end of the half to cut the deficit to two at the break.
However, the Knights came out of the locker room on fire, scoring three times to open another five-goal lead (12-7) nine minutes into the second half.
Claire Grimwood (4 goals) then tallied a natural hat trick with three straight goals within a 1:28 span that narrowed the lead back to two (12-10).
Mary Beth Green (6-2) made nine saves in the loss. Acacia Cook also was credited with nine saves.
Mary Eshenour scored five goals and posted one assist for Gannon. Teammate Krista Schunk scored four times. Colleen Dixon scored three times and assisted on three others.
West Chester will try to return to its winning ways on Wednesday when the Golden Rams host Kutztown at Vonnie Gros Field at 4 p.m. in a PSAC East contest.
