LATROBE, Pa. -- Caroline Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./Liberty) netted a last-minute game-winner to lift the Allegheny College women's lacrosse team to a 9-8 victory over Saint Vincent College at UPMC Field in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday night.

The Gators (2-5, 1-1 PAC) never trailed against the Bearcats (6-3, 2-2 PAC), but the visitors had to hold off a late run by Saint Vincent. Kendall Cox (Silver Spring, Md./Albert Einstein) gave Allegheny its largest lead of the night at 7-4 at 4:34 in the third quarter. However, SVC scored the next three goals to even the score at 7-all.

With 3:32 to go in the fourth quarter, Erin Lowthert (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) put the Gators back on top, 8-7. But once again, the Bearcats answered, as Cara Dupilka logged the tying goal with 91 seconds remaining. On the ensuing draw control, the Bearcats were tagged with a critical foul, as one of their players stepped over the defensive restraining line before possession was obtained. After Allegheny was awarded possession, the offense used the next minute to set up the winning play. The ball was eventually passed to Amelia Henderson (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny), who then found Smith wide open on the doorstep of the crease.

Allegheny was awarded the final draw control, allowing the Gators to waste the remaining seconds off the clock to secure the win.

Inside the Box Score

• The Gators scored nine goals on 23 shots, while the Bearcats finished with eight goals on 25 shot attempts.
• Allegheny won more draw controls, 10-to-9, but Saint Vincent picked up more ground balls, 30-to-24.
• Lowthert led all scorers with a game-leading four goals.
• Smith recorded a hat trick with one assist for four points.
• Cox scored two goals and handed out one assist for three points.
• Duchess Jackson (Washington, D.C./National Cathedral School) caused a team-high three turnovers and picked up two ground balls.
• In net, Ella Ashton (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) held the Bearcats to eight goals while making 12 saves.
• Chloe Herring was Saint Vincent's top scorer with three goals.

News and Notes

• The Gators earned their first PAC win in their second conference game of the spring.
• Allegheny has won eight consecutive matchups against Saint Vincent dating back to 2011.
• Cox and Smith logged their fifth multi-goal performances of the season, while Lowthert earned her fourth.
• Ashton has made a season-high 12 saves in each of the last three games.
• Ashton surpassed 100 career saves and now has 111 in 24 games played.

Up Next
Allegheny hosts Washington and Jefferson College on Saturday, April 4, at noon at the Robertson Athletic Conference.