The Stevenson women’s lacrosse team (9-6 overall, 3-2 MAC Commonwealth) battled hard but ultimately came up short against No. 8 York (Pa.) (11-3 overall, 4-0 MAC Commonwealth), falling 15-7 in a conference clash Tuesday afternoon.

York wasted no time taking control, scoring seven unanswered goals in the opening quarter to build an early cushion.

The Spartans continued their offensive surge in the second with three more goals before Marisa Massimini broke through for the Mustangs with 1:49 remaining in the half. Ava Treakle then capitalized on a late possession, scoring off a feed from Sophia Murray with just two seconds left to trim the deficit to 10-2 at the break.

The third quarter saw York strike again just over four minutes in, but Olivia Galati quickly responded for Stevenson with a goal of her own. However, the Spartans added two more goals to extend their lead to 13-3 heading into the final frame.

York opened the fourth quarter with yet another goal, but the Mustangs refused to go quietly. Katherine Friedman got Stevenson back on the board, and Kara Yarusso followed with a strong finish to bring the score to 14-5.

Treakle tallied her second goal of the afternoon, again assisted by Murray, while Galati capped off her two-goal performance with a strike off a pass from Hailey Johnson at the 2:06 mark. Despite Stevenson’s late offensive burst, the early deficit proved too large to overcome.

Treakle and Galati led the Mustang offense with two goals apiece, while Murray tallied a team-high two assists. Yarusso contributed a goal and an assist, with Massimini and Friedman each adding a goal.

Johnson recorded an assist, while goalkeepers Anna Johnston and Regan Torbert split time in net, combining for six saves on the afternoon.

The Mustangs will now turn their focus to a crucial road matchup against Albright on Wednesday, April 23 in Reading, Pa. Opening draw is scheduled for 6 p.m. as Stevenson looks to bounce back in MAC Commonwealth play.