MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny women's lacrosse team overcame a first quarter deficit as they collected a 13-5 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) win at home against Chatham Wednesday (April 17).
 
The Cougars scored the first goal of the game on a free-position attempt. Allegheny then tied it up as Ema Caragein (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton La Salle) scored on an extra player opportunity. However, the Cougars took advantage of an Allegheny card, scoring a second time in the frame to lead 2-1 after 15 minutes.
 
The Gators tied it up early in the second when Lauren Petrarca (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal) assisted Katherine Surdykowski (Chesterfield, N.J./Northern Burlington County Regional). Less than a minute later, Surdykowski picked up a groundball in the defensive zone and raced down the field to score and give Allegheny the lead. Ashley Amato (Westerly, R.I./Westerly) converted a free-position opportunity to make it 4-2. Caragein scored her second goal of the half on a free-position as well before Petrarca scored her first goal as the lead grew to 6-2. Playing down following a penalty, a long pass from Petrarca threaded the needle to Amato, who found the back of the net for the second time. Emily Herrold (Hampstead, Md./Manchester Valley), assisted by Kendall Cox (Silver Spring, Md./Albert Einstein), closed out the half with a goal as the Gators led 8-2.
 
Midway through the third, Petrarca scored a free-position goal. The Gators then scored their second player down goal as Herrold picked off a pass and found Kennedy Kyle (Seven Fields, Pa./Seneca Valley) for the tally. After a Chatham goal, Surdykowski completed her hat trick off a feed from Caragein. Herrold closed out the quarter with a free-position goal as the Gators led 12-4 heading into the final frame.
 
In the fourth, Amato completed her hat trick off an assist by Caragein as the Gators. The Cougars would score late,  but it was not enough to overcome the Allegheny advantage.
 
Inside the Box

• Surdykowski scored a hat trick with five groundballs and draw controls.
• Amato also scored three times.
• Petrarca had two goals and two assists while causing a team-high five turnovers.
• Caragein finished with a pair of goals and assists.
• Herrold tallied two goals and an assist in addition to five draw controls, four groundballs and two caused turnovers.
• Kyle rounded out goal scorers while Cox had an assist.
• Sybi Gerhart (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) caused two turnovers and collected two groundballs.
• Amelia Henderson (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) had three groundballs.
• Sarah Thorman (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) earned the win in goal, making 10 saves. 

News and Notes

• The Gators improved to 6-6 on the season and 5-1 in PAC play.
• Allegheny is now 2-0 all-time against Chatham.

Up Next
The Gators are on the road Saturday (April 20) at Grove City.