PHILADELPHIA – Lacrosse fell to #23 Drexel on Saturday, 17-9. The Dragons flew out to a 9-3 lead at halftime and the Explorers couldn't close the gap in the second period. Senior Sarah Elias scored twice and assisted three more for a career-high five points, while classmate Bridget Ruskey notched a hattrick.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Drexel opened the scoring thirty seconds in before Ruskey brought one back a minute later. The Dragons scored four more over the next six minutes to make it 5-1.
• Senior Allison Hunter closed the gap to three on a power play goal, but four more scores for the home team pushed the gap to seven. Sophomore Madi McKee recorded the final goal of the half to bring La Salle to within six.
• The hosts started brightly in the second and rattled off four more goals. Senior Annina Iacobucci and Hunter both found the back of the net, answered by Drexel with another three allies to make it a 16-5 score line.
• Ruskey struck again, the Dragons responded, and three more goals from the Explorers wrapped up the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Four Explorers finished with multi-point games: Elias with five, Hunter with four (two goals and two assists), Ruskey with three and Iacobucci with three (a goal and two assists).
• McKee also got in on the scoring, while tied for the team lead in draw controls with three. Senior Emily Johnston also finished with three on the day.
• Senior Jess Hewitt and junior Erin Welsh paced the Explorers in ground balls with two each.
• The Blue & Gold played the cleaner of the two games, but simply could not match Drexel's finishing. La Salle finished with less turnovers (nine to Drexel's 15) and a perfect clear record (15-15 compared to Drexel's 14-20).

UP NEXT

• La Salle begins A-10 play on Friday at Saint Joseph's. First draw is at 4 p.m.