NASHVILEE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt lacrosse topped Penn State, 10-9, on Wednesday afternoon at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex. Five Dores scored goals, led by fifth-year Bri Gross who registered for her second hat trick of the season.
Penn State earned the opening draw and transitioned into a quick goal in the opening seconds of the game but the Gross responded less than a minute later with the equalizer. Gross added another goal for the Dores to put them up 2-1 at the halfway point of the quarter. The Nittany Lions responded with a goal from Meghan Murray to even the score but back-to-back goals from Josie Ward put the Dores on top at the end of the opening period 4-2.
Gross found the back of the cage for her third goal of the day pushing Vandy to a 5-2 lead. PSU responded with back-to-back goals in the final minutes of the half to bring its deficit within one but Paige Finneran beat the buzzer for a goal at the end of the half, putting Vanderbilt up 6-4 at the break.
The Commodores carried that momentum into the second half, opening the third quarter with three straight goals from Ellie Hilsabeck, Finneran and Kemper Robinson extending to a 9-4 lead. Penn State responded by closing the gap and outscoring Vandy 5-0 to tie the game.
Robinson scored the go ahead at the 5:35 mark of the fourth quarter for the Dores, as the shot clock expired to put Vanderbilt up 10-9 and sealing the victory.
Paige Gunning had a season-high 15 saves in the game.
Up Next
The Commodores host Rutgers at noon on Monday.
