NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Westminster College women's lacrosse team lost, 11-10, to non-conference NAIA opponent Ave Maria University at home Saturday afternoon.

Westminster (1-4) jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first half, led by two goals courtesy of first-year Emiley Kushner (Cecil, PA / Canon-McMillan). Ave Maria (2-4) stopped the scoring spree with a goal at the 19:31 mark, however, the Titans responded with two more goals off the sticks of senior Bria Braddock (Beaver Falls, PA / Blackhawk) and junior Michaela Hays (Blairsville, PA / Blairsville) and Westminster led 6-1 with 15 minutes left. After both teams traded goals, the Gyrenes ended the first half with three-straight scores and Westminster led 7-5 at halftime.

Ave Maria picked up where it left off to start the second half with two-straight goals to tie the game at 7 six minutes in. A goal by sophomore Magen Polczynski (Irwin, PA / Norwin) put the Titans back in front, 8-7, however the Gyrenes answered with two consecutive goals and took their first lead of the game, 9-8, with 13 minutes on the clock. Ave Maria did not trail for the remainder of the game. Hays tied the game at 9 with a goal at the 10:31 mark scored the last goal of the contest with just under two minutes to play, cutting Ave Maria's lead to 11-10.

Hays registered a game-high six points, including game-highs in goals (4) and assists (2). Kushner and Braddock each registered three points (both had two goals). Braddock also had a game-high five draw controls. First-year Stephanie Cimini (Mars, PA / Mars Area) added two points. Senior Emily Marcus (South Park, PA / South Park) earned a game- and career-high five caused turnovers, followed by junior Marisa Keller (Canonsburg, PA / Canon-McMillan) with four. Titan sophomore goalkeeper Emma Bradley (South Fayette, PA / South Fayette) earned eight saves in a complete-game effort.

The Titans are back on the field Tuesday, March 10 at Eastern University at 3 p.m.