NEW CONCORD, Ohio (March 17) - For the second consecutive year the Saint Vincent women's lacrosse team battled with Muskingum University for the full 60 minutes. This time it was the Bearcats coming through with an 8-7 victory, avenging a one-goal loss from a year ago.

The host Muskies gained the early lead with a score just a little more than a minute into the contest. Senior Hannah Carroll quickly answered back, scoring off a pass from classmate Sarah Wallerstedt, tying the contest at the 21:04 mark. 

After Muskingum tallied another score to take a 2-1 advantage, Saint Vincent closed the half with four straight goals. Junior Maggie Nelson tied the contest before junior Katie Stallings handed the Bearcats their first lead of the day, making it 3-2 with 11:05 left in the half. 

Nelson would add another score off a free position shot and Carroll scored again from Wallerstedt to put the Bearcats up 5-2 after 30 minutes. 

Muskingum would open the second half with back-to-back goals, bringing the deficit to within a single goal at 5-4 with 26:27 left. 

The teams would then exchange scores the rest of the way, as the Bearcats held at least a one score advantage for the remainder of the game. Stallings scored from Carroll with 17:21 to play, making it 6-4.

A little later, junior Kami Davis used a heads up hustle play to corral a ground ball and find the back of the net, making it 7-5 Bearcats with 10:06 left. 

After Nelson scored again to push the advantage to 8-6 with 4:43 left, the Muskies answered less than a minute later to pull within a single score. However, the Bearcats played keep away and held on for the victory. 

The win improves the Bearcats to 2-1 overall for the season, while Muskingum drops to 3-4 overall.

Nelson, Carroll and Wallerstedt all recorded three points in the victory. Sophomore goalkeeper Maria Franey made seven saves, earning the win in net for SVC. Wallerstedt picked up five ground balls while Nelson, Carroll and Claire Kenna each added four ground balls. Carroll and Alex Piampiano each forced two turnovers.

Saint Vincent returns to action with its first home game of the season, hosting Medaille on Sunday, March 19. Start time is set for 2 p.m. at the SVC Turf.