MEADVILLE, Pa. -- Steph Shakespeare (Pittsburgh, Pa./Peters Township) recorded a career-high 20 saves -- tied for the fourth most in program history -- as the Allegheny women's lacrosse team held off a late push by DePauw for an 8-6 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) victory at Frank B. Fuhrer Field.

Shakespeare's performance was nothing short of poetic as her 20 saves are the most by a Gator goalie since 2001 when Stephany Hart also turned away 20 shots on April 28 against Ohio Wesleyan. For the junior, it was the third-straight double-digit save effort this year and the fifth of her career. She improved to 4-6 this season in goal, earning a decision in each of the Allegheny games. The Blue & Gold also moved to an even 1-1 in league action this year.

Allegheny twice led by four goals in the second half, as Alex Zielinski (Erie, Pa./McDowell) made it 7-4 with 18:10 to play and Evi Malagise (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) scored the Gators' final goal on a free-position attempt at 7:28 to make it an 8-4 contest. DePauw battled back with two scores (5:47 and 2:17), but the Gators slammed the door.

Both halves saw 4-3 scoring advantages for the home squad, despite the visitors holding a 35-16 advantage on shots (26-14 on goal).

Brenna Lawler (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) led all players with three goals, her third hat trick of the season. Zielinski paced everyone with four points, scoring twice and assisting on two others, while reaching 100 points for her career. Taylor Vigneri (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy) had her second multi-goal effort of the season with a pair of tallies.

Gretchen Barbera (Yarmouth, Maine/Yarmouth) led the Gators with four ground balls and four others scooped up three. Rachel Donlan (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Catholic) and Barbera paced the defense with three caused turnovers apiece. Mary Allen (Victor, N.Y./Victor) grabbed eight of the 16 draw controls in the game.

Allegheny will have a quick turnaround as it hosts Denison at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 7.