PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Lacrosse battled Duquesne on Friday, falling on the wrong side of a high-scoring 19-17 game. The Explorers were powered by a career day from sophomore Madi McKee who tallied personal bests in goals (five) and draw controls (14). Senior Emily Johnston was the other high scorer with five goals, as well.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The teams traded goals to start the opening half before Duquesne embarked on the first run of the game. The hosts rattled off four goals to go up 5-1, answered by five straight from the Explorers to retake the lead.
• Up 6-5, La Salle recorded three of the following four goals to extend its advantage to 9-7. Three unanswered from Duquesne allowed the home side to retake the advantage, albeit briefly. McKee netted her fourth of the half with 1:39 remaining to tie the score at 10-10.
• Senior Allison Hunter tallied the opening goal of the second half, giving the Blue & Gold a lead that would last two minutes. Three straight scores from the Dukes put them up two and La Salle responded by striking for four, at which point they led 15-13.
• The hosts scored with 17:44 remaining to come within one, followed by a goal drought of almost ten minutes. Duquesne found the back of the net on five of the final seven goals to finish stronger down the stretch and claim the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Johnston stuffed the stat sheet for the Explorers again, adding five draw controls, four caused turnovers and five ground balls.
• In addition to her and McKee's scoring efforts, Hunter finished with a hattrick and classmate Annina Iacobucci tallied two goals.
• La Salle's top providers were seniors Bridget Ruskey and Sarah Elias, each of whom assisted twice. McKee, Hunter and sophomore Tori Rolon all finished with one dish.
• In net, senior Molly Loughlin recorded 14 saves.
• Greatly in part to McKee's dominance on the draw, the Explorers won the draw control battle with conviction, 27-11.

UP NEXT

• The Blue & Gold returns home to host Big 5 rival Saint Joseph's on Sunday.