MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The Allegheny College women's lacrosse team was unable to keep up with Oberlin College in a 16-10 non-conference loss on the blue turf at the Robertson Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon.

The shorthanded Gators (0-3) matched the pace of the Yeowomen (3-2) for much of the first three quarters and were well within striking distance. Allegheny briefly led in the first quarter, but only trailed by two goals at halftime and three at the end of the third quarter.

Alas, the deep Oberlin bench provided many fresh legs in the fourth quarter. Leading 11-8 after 45 minutes of action, the Yeowomen scored the first four goals of the fourth quarter to widen the gap to six. 

Oberlin also relied heavily on starting goalie Janny McCormick. Although Allegheny finished with more shot attempts, McCormick made a game-high 17 saves in just over 55 minutes before she was sidelined with an injury.

One of two Gators with a hat trick, Ashley Amato (Westerly, R.I./Westerly) scored a pair of highlight-reel-worthy goals. Her first tally gave Allegheny a 3-2 lead at the 6:33 mark in the opening quarter. McCormick denied her first attempt, but Amato scooped up the loose ball in front of the crease and quickly deposited it into the back of the net with the goalie out of position. Amato's second goal of the game was a buzzer-beater before halftime. Allegheny was awarded a free position shot with 1.5 seconds on the clock, which Emily Herrold took (Hampstead, Md./Manchester Valley). Herrold's attempt hit McCormick right in the facemask, but Amato quickly shoveled the ball into the cage before the halftime buzzer sounded.

Inside the Box Score

• Allegheny finished with a 37-to-30 lead in total shots.
• Both teams committed 30 turnovers and were under 60% on clearing attempts.
• The Gators had a 16-to-11 advantage in draw controls, whereas the Yeowomen had more ground balls, 33-to-25.
• Amato and Lauren Petrarca (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal) led the offensive with three goals apiece.
• Petrarca also won a game-high six draw controls with three caused turnovers and two ground.
• Amato picked up five ground balls, won three draw controls, and added two caused turnovers.
• Ema Caragein (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton La Salle) scored twice, while Herrold and Katherine Surdykowski (Chesterfield, N.J./Northern Burlington County Regional) each scored once.
• Defender Amelia Henderson (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) caused a team-high four turnovers with three ground balls.
• Macy Simons (Catonsville, Md./Western Tech) made six saves and allowed 16 goals in 60 minutes played in goal.
• Oberlin's Emily Shimabukuro led all scorers with six goals and seven points.

News and Notes

• The Allegheny offense produced season highs in points (11), goals (10), shots (37), and shots on goal (29) against Oberlin.
• Petrarca recorded three points for the third consecutive game to open the 2024 season.
• Petrarca is now tied with Christina Zanic '10 for 13th all-time in program history with 104 career goals.
• Amato's three points and three goals are both season highs.
• Surdykowski, a first-year midfielder, has scored once in each of her first three collegiate games.
• Henderson tied a single-game career-high with four caused turnovers.

Up Next
Allegheny will travel to Ashland, Virginia, to face Randolph-Macon College to open its spring break trip on Tuesday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m.