KENT, Ohio – Riley McDonald delivered one of her finest performances of the season for Longwood women's lacrosse on Thursday afternoon with five goals. Unfortunately for the Lancers (0-4), Kent State's Zayda Crumpton outdueled her to lead KSU (2-5) to a 13-12 win.
 
McDonald tallied a season-best five goals, but Crumpton had six as Kent State held on for a nailbiting win. Neither team ever led by more than three.
 
TOP LWU PERFORMERS:
 
Riley McDonald: 5G, 1A, 1GB, 1CT
Ariana Tucci: 3G, 1GB, 1DC
Miranda Helfenbein: 2GB, 4DC, 2CT
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
The game was incredibly close throughout. Kent State started strong with three goals in the first quarter, but the Lancers, thanks to a pair of goals from McDonald and one from Sophia Passa, pulled even late in the frame.
 
Ariana Tucci then gave Longwood a 4-3 lead early in the second quarter, and the freshman finished with a hat trick, her first at the college level. Crumpton and Kent State answered though, and the home side led 6-5 at the break.
 
In the third, McDonald again gave Longwood a one-goal lead, but Kent State answered with four straight Crumpton goals.
 
Tucci, McDonald and Holly Hill responded with a goal apiece for Longwood to even the score at 10 apiece heading to the final 15 minutes.
 
Kent State took a 13-11 lead before Tucci pulled Longwood within one with 1:43 to go, but the Golden Flashes were able to fend off Longwood.
 
WHAT THEY SAID:
 
"We showed a lot of fight," said Longwood Head Coach Kylar Ferguson. "I was expecially proud of how we dug ourselves out of a hole early on and made it a real ball game, improving in a lot of categories. It didn't go our way tonight at Kent State, but we will use this one to come out strong on Saturday. Go Wood!"

UP NEXT:
 
Longwood takes on Youngstown State on Saturday at noon.
 
#GoWood #HorsePower