ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Women's Lacrosse team fell behind by six goals in Saturday's match-up against DeSales University, but although they battled back, the Knights fell by a final score of 16-15.
 
DeSales started off with a bang as they scored the game's first four games, giving them a significant lead with 7:16 left in the first. Tessa Vannello got the Knights first goal less than a minute later but the Bulldogs responded. Again, the teams traded goals to close the quarter with Arianna Hutchison striking for Neumann, and it was a 6-2 game after 15 minutes.
 
Maggie Miller got her first of the game with the man-up at the 8:45 mark and DeSales answered just 23 seconds later. Alena Catka scored with 5:27 left but that sparked a three-goal run by the Bulldogs for a 10-4 lead with two minutes left in the half. Miller scored another man-up goal with 12 seconds to the break for a 10-5 deficit.
 
The Knights matched their opponent's offense throughout the third quarter. Catka and Krista Geibler scored back-to-back to get them within three then DeSales tallied three of the next four, with Rachel Roane getting Neumann's goal for a 13-8 heading into the final regulation quarter.
 
At the 12:59 mark, Geibler started to turn the momentum in the Knights' favor. Over a 1:03 period, Catka scored twice and Roane once, getting them within one at 13-12. The teams would trade goals for the rest of the game, with Catka, Kenna Sanders, and Miller striking. After Miller's goal at 1:18, DeSales were able to get possession on the next draw control to clinch the game.
 
Catka led with five goals, four assists, and 11 draw controls. Miller notched a hat trick to go with four ground balls and three draw controls. Roane and Geibler finished with two goals each, with Geibler causing five turnovers.
 
Neumann (2-5) will return to action on Wednesday afternoon when they visit Stevenson University for a 4:00 PM start.