York, Pa. – The No. 20 Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team was edged by No. 10 York College, 10-9, on Saturday afternoon.
 
Maddie Hogan and Emily Leiby each recorded a hat trick for Stevens (5-3), while Sofie Steel led York (5-2) with four points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans struck early, scoring twice in a 44-second span to take a 2-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. York doubled its advantage late in the first quarter before Anna Velardi put Stevens on the board with a free-position goal at the 1:22 mark. Velardi's goal was the Ducks' lone shot attempt of the opening 15 minutes, as both teams combined for 12 turnovers in the first period.
 
Despite being assessed a yellow card early in the second quarter, Stevens capitalized on a defensive stand. Alison Murray forced a turnover, secured the ground ball, and helped set up Leiby's man-down goal, cutting the deficit to two. The teams exchanged goals just 14 seconds apart, with Leiby netting her second of the day at the 10:29 mark. York responded with a goal from Krista Yarrusso to push its lead to 7-3 with 5:52 remaining in the half. However, Alison Lax answered with 1:57 left, sending Stevens into the break down by three.

York outshot Stevens 14-5 in the first half, while Felicia Heilferty made two saves for the Ducks.
 
Leiby completed her hat trick 4:20 into the third quarter, converting a man-up free-position goal. After a series of turnovers, Hogan pulled Stevens within one with a free-position tally midway through the period. The Ducks nearly tied the game in the closing seconds of the third, but York goalkeeper Bella Garabo denied Murray's shot as time expired.

Stevens finally pulled even three minutes into the fourth quarter when Hogan buried another free-position shot. However, York quickly regained the lead just 57 seconds later, as Katie Jeanes found the back of the net with 11 minutes to play. Hogan once again responded for Stevens, scoring her 20th goal of the season to make it 8-8.
 
A man-up goal from the Spartans put the hosts back in front, but Stefanie Sellitto answered to knot the score once more. With 3:23 remaining, Garabo made a crucial save on a Leiby free-position attempt. Steel then delivered the game-winning goal for York with 2:20 left. The Ducks had one final opportunity, but the Spartans forced a turnover and controlled possession for the remainder of the game to secure the victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Hogan has scored in every game this season, recording at least two goals in all but one contest.
• Leiby notched her third hat trick of the season while attempting a team-high eight shots.
• Lauren Sullivan anchored the defense with three caused turnovers and two ground balls, while Marie Lindberger and Sellitto each added a caused turnover.
• Heilferty recorded six saves in the loss.

UP NEXT
The Ducks return home to host Amherst College on Saturday. The opening draw is set for 12 p.m. at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.