TACOMA, Wash.--- The Pacific Lutheran University women's lacrosse team (1-9, 0-3 NWC) scored their second-most goals of the season on Friday under the lights, falling to cross-town rival Puget Sound, 16-9.
 
The Loggers struck first in the game, as they found the back of the net off of a free position attempt. They added a second goal with 11:17 remaining in the first,taking an early 2-0 lead. The Lutes first shot attempt came shortly after the Loggers added their third goal, as Issabella Marchio's shot missed the target high. PLU added another shot attempt late in the first quarter, as Kathleen Swankowski's shot was stopped by the opposing keeper; the Loggers took a 4-0 lead late in the first, holding that lead throughout the final minute of play.
 
Puget Sound started the second in nearly the exact same way as the first, scoring a free position goal less-than two minutes into the quarter. They continued to keep the Lutes off the board thanks to strong defense, while their offense took a 7-0 lead . With 3:22 remaining in the first half, Katrina Moran earned a free position attempt, this time executing to put the Lutes on the board heading into the second half, 7-1. Sophomore goalkeeper Kassie Diller kept the Lutes in the game with six total saves in the second quarter, including multiple in the final minute.
 
After scoring their first goal to end the first half, the Lutes brought their offensive momentum into the second half against their conference rival. Annie Latimer, Lia Zaboski, and Kathleen Swankowski commanded the Lutes offense to three goals over a 1:13 span early in the second. For Zaboski, she netted the first goal of her collegiate career. In the blink of an eye, the Lutes were within striking distance and on a 4-0 goal run.
 
The Loggers ended their scoring drought three minutes later, putting one past Diller, but the Lutes leading goal scorer in Taylee Alldredge made good use of her free position attempt, making it an 8-5 game. Both offenses were on fire, with UPS scoring three-straight over a 2:25 span to crawl out to a six-goal lead. Gracie Cecka and Alldredge combined for a goal out of a draw control to end the Loggers streak. UPS found the back of the net two more times in the final 67-seconds of the quarter, commanding a 13-6 lead with 15-minutes to play.
 
Puget Sound scored three times in the first 4:09 of the final quarter, earning their largest lead of the game at nine. But with 3:33 to play, Sami Velasco Patino scored her first goal of her PLU career, all thanks to her strong defense, forcing the Loggers to turn it over deep in their own territory, where Velasco Patino beat the keeper one-on-one. Less than a minute later, Latimer went the length of the field scoring her second goal of the game to make it 15-8 UPS. Marchio got on the board as well with two-minutes left in the game, fitting it through a tight window to cut the deficit to six.
 
The Lutes would allow one more score from the Loggers to close out the game, falling to their cross-town rivals, 16-9 in their second-ever meeting, and first in conference play.
 
"[I'm] Really proud of the team effort and how we competed tonight." Said Head Coach Melanie Rizzotti. "With eight different goal scorers, we are seeing our offense come together."
 
PLU totaled nine goals for the game, the most since their inaugural-game 12-6 win over Eastern Oregon back in February. Latimer led the way with two goals on her four shot attempts, picking up one ground ball. Seven other Lutes added one goal each, with Marchio and Swankowski tying Latimer with four-shots each. Brandie Tobin forced a pair of turnovers while picking up four ground balls. Goalkeeper Kassie made 14 saves on 33 shots faced.
 
The Lutes head south to Portland, Ore. tomorrow morning for a day-trip, as they are set to face the Lewis & Clark Pioneers at 1 p.m.
 
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