READING, Pa. – A nine-goal first half helped the Lycoming College women's lacrosse team run away with its fifth straight win, notching a 14-9 victory at Alvernia University on Wednesday, April 19 at the Alvernia Turf Field to move into sole possession of second place in the MAC Commonwealth with 10 days remaining in the regular season.
 
The Warriors (8-4 overall, 4-1 MAC Commonwealth) have won four of the five games during their win streak on the road while moving up the conference standings. The Warriors moved ahead of Albright, which lost to Stevenson, 23-11, on Wednesday night, with the Lions sitting at 8-6 overall and 4-2 in the MAC Commonwealth.
 
Sophomore Kelly McGinniss (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) led the Warrior offense once again, posting five goals, two assists and two draw controls. Freshman Hailey Kimble (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post West) added four goals, junior Jordan Lazarich (Deer Park, N.Y./Deer Park) had two goals, two assists and four draw controls and freshman Kayla DiJoseph (Turnersville, N.J./Washington Township) finished with two goals and an assist.
 
After Alvernia (6-7 overall, 2-3 MAC Commonwealth) scored the first goal of the game, McGinniss responded with two goals in a one-minute span, starting a four-goal run that ended when Rachel Judge scored for the Crusaders to make it 4-2 with 20:28 left. Lycoming continued to execute, though, scoring five goals to end the half with a 9-2 lead thanks to three goals in the final 2:02. DiJoseph scored the final goal as time expired in the half.
 
Alvernia closed within five goals in the first six minutes of the second half with two goals, but Lycoming answered with a pair of their own goals. Lycoming added three of the next five goals, as well, as McGinniss found Kimble for a score with 10:55 left to give Lycoming a 14-6 lead, its largest of the game. Alvernia closed the game with three goals in the final 10 minutes to make up the final margin.
 
Senior Nicole Gerling (Millstone Township, N.J./Allentown) (8-4) finished with 14 saves to earn her 35^th career win. Samantha Rothman took the loss for the Crusaders, making two stops in 20 minutes.
 
DiJoseph, Gerling and freshman Natalie Schroeder (Edgewater, Md./Annapolis) each caused two turnovers for the Warriors, whom forced 10 in the game.
 
Abby McCarthy led the Crusaders with four goals, an assist, two groundballs, two caused turnovers and two draw controls. Bridget Reynolds added two goals and three draw controls and Taylor Dorrin led the team with three caused turnovers.
 
The Warriors get back in action on Saturday, April 22, when they host seventh-ranked Messiah at 1 p.m. at the Shangraw Athletic Complex.