ANNVILLE, Pa. – Lebanon Valley sophomore Katie DeWitt recorded her second hat trick of the year to lead the women's lacrosse team in a tough 10-6 defeat to visiting DeSales University on Wednesday evening in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom opener for both teams on Arnold Field in Annville.
 
The Dutchmen (6-5, 0-1 MAC Freedom) gained possession off the opening draw but were unable to get a shot off. The Bulldogs (7-4, 1-0 MAC Freedom) scored on their first offensive possession of the game to take the early lead. LVC tied the game up a few minutes later as Kyla Hebert blew past a defender and scored her 27th goal of the year. The teams traded turnovers over the next couple of minutes. DeSales retook the lead on a goal with 5:33 left in the quarter. Gigi Ditsky made a pair of saves on free position shots before Elizabeth Morgan found DeWitt over the middle for her first goal of the game with 1:27 on the clock. DSU responded with a goal a little over a minute later to take a 3-2 advantage into the second quarter.
 
The Dutchmen came out firing to begin the second period as DeWitt scored her second goal off an assist from Molly Whisler 23 seconds into the quarter. Chloe Moser won the following draw, and Hebert gave LVC a 4-3 advantage with 13:55 to play in the half off a pass from Kamille Bagapuro. The Bulldogs answered right back with a goal to tie the game at four.  Hebert put a shot wide before the Bulldogs cleared the ball and took the lead back with a goal. DeSales went up 6-4 a little under a minute later with a woman-up goal. LVC battled throughout the final eight minutes of the half but was unable to change the score. Hannah Schneider had the best look at goal for the Dutchmen with a pair of shots that were saved.
 
LVC started with possession to begin the second half and earned a free position in the opening minute. Kamille Bagapuro had her shot saved. DeWitt picked up the ground ball, and Hebert was fouled to earn another free position attempt. The senior also had a shot saved. LVC kept the pressure on as Bethany Cohee had a shot saved with just under 11 minutes to play in the quarter. The Bulldogs countered with a woman-up goal a couple of minutes later to extend their lead to 7-4. Hebert won the following draw and had a shot saved. DSU was awarded another woman-up opportunity and scored with 5:32 remaining to go up by four. The Bulldogs scored a minute later to increase the advantage. LVC battled over the final four minutes of the quarter but were only able to get a shot high by Morgan and a shot wide by Whisler.
 
The Dutchmen began the final quarter with a woman-advantage and DeWitt had a shot saved in the opening minute. Ditsky saved a free position shot at the other end of the field. LVC cleared the ball, and Schneider found the back of the net for the ninth time this year to cut the deficit to 9-5. The Bulldogs had a shot that hit the post and then put a shot high. Hebert had a shot saved with 7:37 on the clock. The Bulldogs were able to run time off the clock with long possessions. Morgan had a shot saved with just under four minutes to play. The Bulldogs added their final goal of the game a minute later. DeWitt completed her hat trick on a free position goal with 1:50 remaining to set the final score.
 
Inside the Box

• DeWitt recorded her second hat trick of the year on four shots. The sophomore also had a season-high two ground balls.
• Hebert scored two goals on six shots. She also won one draw control.
• Schneider scored her ninth goal of the season on three shots.
• Morgan had two assists while Whisler recorded an assist.
• Ditsky made nine saves and led the team with four ground balls and one caused turnover.
• Moser won a team-high four draw controls. Katie Giusti recorded three ground balls and one caused turnover.
• The Dutchmen were 24-27 on clear attempts.

Up Next
LVC will be off for a week until returning to action next Wednesday, April 8, with a 7 p.m. road contest at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown.

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