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LEWISTON, N.Y. -- The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team took the lead into the final 10 minutes, but fell victim to a late rally by Niagara and dropped a 9-8 decision on the road Sunday afternoon.
// KEY PLAYERS
CINCINNATI (4-4)
Megan Bell (Parkton, Md./Hereford) - 3 goals | 1 assist | 1 caused turnover
Elaina Enich (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany) - 2 goals | 1 assist | 1 draw control
Amanda Donovan (Ellicott City, Md./Mount de Sales Academy) - 1 goal | 1 assist | 2 ground balls | 1 caused turnover
Kyara Byner (Franklin, Tenn./Ensworth) - 5 ground balls | 3 caused turnovers
NIAGARA (2-4)
Sarah Arndt - 3 gaols | 1 ground ball | 1 caused turnover
Alexis Morlaes - 2 goals
Danielle Maio - 1 goal | 1 assist | 1 ground ball | 4 draw controls
Caroline Crump - 2 assists | 1 draw control
// IN THE CAGE
CIN Meg Gulmi (Syosset, N.Y./Syosset) - 6 saves | 9 goals allowed | Loss
NIA Andrea Francisco - 4 saves | 8 goals allowed
// KEY GOALS
14:30 1st - CIN Megan Bell (Sam Mlkvy)
Bell recorded a hat trick when she tied the game at 3-3 midway through the first half. The teams traded a pair of goals in the rest of the way and were tied 4-4 at the break.
24:24 2nd - CIN Amanda Donovan (Megan Bell)
Bell started the scoring this time, finding Donovan for the goal as the Bearcats scored the only two goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half and held a 6-4 lead.
9:48 2nd - CIN Courtney Curtis (free position)
Curtis answered a Niagara goal with a free position to put Cincinnati up, 7-5, with just over 10 minutes to play.
5:22 2nd - Molly Gray (free position)
Gray scored from the free position to tie the game, 7-7, with just over five minutes remaining. Her scored followed a goal by Alexis Morales which cut the UC lead to one, 7-6, four minutes earlier.
2:56 2nd - Alexis Morales (Danielle Maio)
Morales scored to cap a 4-0 run by the Purple Eagles. She followed a goal from Rachel MacCheyne which put Niagara on top for good, providing some key insurance. Cincinnati's Enich cut the lead to 9-8 with 46 seconds to play, but the Bearcats turned it over with 26 seconds to play and dropped the contest.
// UP NEXT
Cincinnati returns home to host Coastal Carolina in Friday, March 18. The contest is set for 6 p.m. at Gettler Stadium and is Youth/Club Lacrosse Night. To bring a group, contact Brandon Sosna at brandon.sosna@uc.edu or 513-556-8262. Fans are invited to Experience UC lacrosse all season long with complimentary admission.