Griffins Elude Knights in Final Minute in 12-11 Cliffhanger

GWYNEDD-VALLEY, PA.: After jumping out to a 5-0 lead, Arcadia University's three goal halftime advantage was challenged by host Gwynned-Mercy late in the second half and with 55 seconds left in today's game, the Griffins struck with the go-ahead goal to hand the Knights a tough 12-11 loss in non-conference action.

The Knights set the tone early with another high-octane start fueled by the team's top four scorers. Three goals and an assist from Meghan Fallon '13, a goal and assist from Haylee Molloy '15, a Jenna Crothers '14 tally and assist from Jaclyn Feffer '15 allowed Arcadia to settle into complete control of the game in the opening ten minutes of action.

The Griffins responded with a pair but Feffer and Catherine Brown '15 countered with goals 48 seconds apart, keeping Arcadia in front 7-1 with 13 minutes to go before halftime. Gwynedd-Mercy's Shannon Carraba added two tallies allowing the Knight's just a three-goal buffer at the break.

The home team opened up the second with two more goals to cap a four unanswered goal spurt cutting their one-time five goal deficit to 1 with Arcadia clinging to a 7-6 lead. The Knights benefited from a welcomed score from Katie Bauer '14 with 20:11 to play before Molloy helped herself to a free-position strike at 15:17, putting Arcadia back on top by three, 9-6.

Over the next eight minutes, the game was heated, as the Griffins found the back of Arcadia's net three times to knot the contest up a 9-all with 7:25 to play. Arcadia went back to their top offensive threats to regain an 11-9 advantage on goals by Feffer at 6:36 and Fallon at 5:48 but two Griffin goals spread just 1:14 apart knotted the game once again with 3:35 remaining.

Feffer then nabbed the ensuing draw and guided her Knight's down the field. Fallon was able to rip two shots into Griffin's keeper Kelly Kruck, the second a free position stop. Kruck launched a good clear out to the midfield and the home team set up their offense, awarded a free-position attempt that Jenna D'Arcy sent into the back of the Arcadia net with 55 seconds to go for a 12-11 Griffin lead and final.

Gwynedd- Mercy finished with a 38-34 shot advantage. Kruck compiled 5 second half saves in the final 20:11 play for the victory. Arcadia's De Thompson '13 came up with 18 stops for the Knights in the loss.

Fallon finished with 6 pts (4G, 2A), Molloy with a game high 8 draw controls and 4 pts. (2G, 2A) with Feffer scoring three.

Arcadia (3-4 overall) takes a trip to Reading, PA this Saturday for a 1 p.m. non-conference game at Alvernia University.

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