Box Score
 
WAYNESBURG (March 15) – The Waynesburg University lacrosse team outscored its opponent in the second half on Saturday, but was dealt a heartbreaking 17-16 loss at the hands of Hood College at John F. Wiley Stadium. The Yellow Jackets drop to 0-1 on the season, while the Blazers move to 1-0 after winning their season-opener.

Hood took a 1-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game before Shepherd scored her first goal of the season with 26:28 left in the first period. The Blazers reclaimed its lead four minutes later but the Jackets kept pace, trailing just 5-4 after 10 minutes of play. Hood eventually took a 10-5 lead into halftime.

The Jackets came out firing in the second half, as back-to-back goals by Shepas and Swab cut the deficit to 12-8 with 22:37 remaining. Hood had an answer going on a 4-2 run that gave them a 16-10 lead with 9:47 remaining. The offensive duo of Shepas and Shepherd each added a goal in under a minute, cutting the Hood lead to 16-12 with 8:29 remaining.  Hood responded with what proved to be the eventual game-winner at the 7:45 mark, giving them a 17-12 lead.
 
The Jackets, however, scored four unanswered goals in the final seven minutes of play, three of which were scored by Maria Shepas. The four goals cut the Hood lead to 17-16 with 2:39 left in regulation. The Jackets had the ball and an opportunity to tie the game with 30 seconds left to play, but Toria Shepherds' shot sailed high, rolling out of bounds and securing the win for the Blazers.
 
The 16 goals scored by the Jackets are the most they have scored in a contest since March 28, 2009, when Waynesburg defeated Lancaster Bible College by the score of 17-5. Five different Waynesburg players scored a goal in the contest, including a school-record eight by senior Maria Shepas. Shepas' nine total points were also a school record. Sophomore Toria Shepherd assisted on two of Shepas' goals, and added five scores of her own. Senior Sam Swab, junior Carly Smithyman and sophomore Mandy Ornsby rounded out the scoring for the Jackets, each contributing a goal a-piece. Senior Erin Burry registered 10 saves on 32 shot attempts by the Blazers.


Though the loss was a tough one to swallow for the Yellow Jackets, it is hopefully a sign of marked improvement for the team, which loss to Hood 19-2 last year. Waynesburg will have a chance to bounce back from its defeat on Thursday, Feb. 23, when the Jackets host Wheeling Jesuit College. The game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start.