COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A remarkable first-half performance and near-recording setting performance by Lauren Petrarca (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal) were not enough for the Allegheny College women's lacrosse team in an 18-15 loss at Capital University on Friday.

It was a tale of two halves between the Gators (0-5) and Comets (4-2). Allegheny won the first half, and through the first 30 minutes of action, the Blue and Gold appeared well on their way to their first win of the year. The Gators scored seven goals in the first quarter alone and went on a 7-0 run between the first and second quarters. Down 4-3, Allegheny scored nine of the next 11 goals and doubled-up the Comets at halftime, 12-6.

Capital, previously ranked as high as 18th in the USA Lacrosse Division III Women's Top 20 earlier this spring, completely turned things around in the second half. The Comets used an 8-0 run of their own to regain the lead, 13-12. Petrarca tied the game twice at 13-13 and 14-14, but the Comets outscored Allegheny 4-1 over the last 12 minutes for the comeback.

Petrarca, who scored six times in the first half, finished the night with a career-high eight goals. The junior midfielder is the ninth player in team history to net eight goals in a game, one shy of the program single-game record. 

Inside the Box Score

• The Gators outshot the Comets 26-to-14 in the first half and 36-to-29 for the game.
• Allegheny picked up more ground balls, 25-to-20, but Capital won the draw battle, 20-to-17.
• The Comets scored six free-position goals and six woman-up goals.
• On the other hand, Allegheny was only 2-for-6 on free positions and netted two woman-up goals.
• Petrarca scored eight times and won four draw controls.
• Ashley Amato (Westerly, R.I./Westerly) had a hat trick with five ground balls.
• Emily Herrold (Hampstead, Md./Manchester Valley) scored twice with five ground balls, four draws, and three caused turnovers.
• Ema Caragein (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton LaSalle) added one goal with one assist, while Amelia Henderson (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) tallied one goal.
• Katherine Surdykowski (Chesterfield, N.J./Northern Burlington County Regional) won a team-high six draw controls.
• In goal, Sarah Thorman (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) made eight saves and collected four ground balls.
• Capital was led by Andi Henry (5g-4a) and Grace Osborn (7g).

News and Notes

• Friday's matchup was the first-ever between Allegheny and Capital.
• The Gator offense produced a season-high 15 goals against the Comets.
• Petrarca's eight goals were one shy of the team record for the most in a game.
• Henderson's goal was her first of the year and the second of her career.
• First-year defender Jamie Marchewka (Buffalo, N.Y./Amherst Central) made her season debut on Friday.

Up Next
On Wednesday, March 20, the Gators return to the Robertson Athletic Complex to host Fredonia State at 5:00 p.m.