MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Allegheny women's lacrosse team picked up their first win of the 2025 season as they defeated Keuka 14-7 at home Saturday (March 1).
The win also marked the first under the tenure of first-year head coach
Jessica Smith.
The Gators scored the first two goals of the game.
Kendall Cox (Silver Spring, Md./Albert Einstein) tallied the first goal, unassisted, a little more than a minute in.
Caroline Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./Liberty) scored two minutes later off a feed from
Lauren Petrarca (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal).
The Wolves answered with two goals to tie the game, but the Gators were quick to respond. Petrarca broke the tie on a free-position shot before
Erin Lowthert (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) put the Gators back in front by two on an assist by Smith.
Ema Caragein (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton LaSalle) also converted a free-position attempt as the lead grew to 5-2. Cox scored her second goal of the frame before a buzzer beater goal by Smith gave Allegheny a 7-2 lead after one.
Allegheny added four goals in the second while surrendering just one. Lowthert had two of the goals to reach a hat trick. Petrarca scored her second goal, assisted by
Ava Best (Butler, Pa./Butler), in the frame. Similar to the first quarter, Smith scored another late goal to also achieve a hat trick, and give the Gators an 11-3 halftime lead.
After Keuka scored first in the third quarter, Cox became the third Gator to score three goals. After a second goal in the quarter by Keuka, Lowthert found the back of the net for the fourth time, assisted by Cox, as the Gators led 13-5 heading into the final frame.
The Wolves scored twice to open the fourth. The score stayed 13-7 until the final minute when Petrarca completed her hat trick off an assist by Smith to seal the win.
Inside the Box
- Lowthert led the team in scoring with four goals. She also had three draw controls, three caused turnovers, and six ground balls.
- Smith produced five points on three goals and two assists.
- Cox finished with three goals and an assist.
- Petrarca also had three goals and an assist while leading the Gators with 11 draw controls.
- Caragein had a goal, while Best had one assist.
- Jamie Marchewka (Buffalo, N.Y./Amherst Central) had four ground balls and three caused turnovers.
- Amelia Henderson (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) led the team with five caused turnovers.
- Macy Simons (Catonsville, Md./Western Tech) earned the win in goal, making five saves.
- Ella Ashton (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) split time in net with Simons, making three saves.
News and Notes
- This marked the first win for head coach Jessica Smith at Allegheny.
- This also marked the first game between the programs.
- Caroline Smith earned her first collegiate hat trick and logged season-high in points.
- Lowthert turned in her first multi-goal performance and tied a season-high with six ground balls.
- Henderson tied a career-high with five caused turnovers.
Up Next
The Gators are back at home next Saturday (March 8), hosting Susquehanna.