EASTON, Pa. -  Down four goals with 12:14 to play, the Lafayette women's lacrosse team showed its resiliency on Tuesday afternoon, working to tie it at 15-15 with Rutgers at Fisher Stadium into the final minute. Unfortunately, the Scarlet Knights' Samantha Budd beat Leopard goalie Quinn Lacy with 48 seconds remaining for the game-winner in a 16-15 defeat.

Following a first half that was played evenly throughout with Rutgers in front by a 10-8 score at the break, Budd's tally to kick off the second gave the Scarlet Knights their largest lead to that point at 11-8. Back-to-back tallies from senior Jane Kirby and junior Jen Rowan brought the Leopards back within one, but four of the next five went to Rutgers, leading 15-11 with 12:14 left.

Four straight goals followed from the Maroon and White as freshman Anna Stein netted a pair with less than five minutes to play to tie the game at 15-15. Unfortunately, the draws down the stretch didn't go the Leopards' way and Budd's tally at 48 seconds was the lone goal in the final 3:17 to close out the 16-15 final and send the home side to 4-4 on the season.

Stein was a top offensive threat for Lafayette on Tuesday, adding five assists to her two goals for a team-high seven points. Kirby was the team's top scorer with four markers, while classmate Emma Novick added a hat trick of her own.

Budd scored a career-high eight goals on the day to lead all scorers, finding the back of the net on eight of her 10 shots. Sophomore Quinn Lacy made 10 saves between the pipes, but her 16 goals allowed led to her fourth loss of the season.

Notably, junior Ally Hickey added the first goal of her season for Lafayette, connecting with Stein at 11:12 in the second half for the second of the four-goal run that tied the game. Additionally, freshman Lily Bedell added two caused turnovers to lead the Leopards on the defensive side.

Overall, it was just Budd's winner that separated the two teams with the visitors holding slim edges in shots and ground balls, 29-27 and 15-14, respectively. Lafayette won the battle in the circle by a 20-13 margin, but committed 17 turnovers while forcing 11.

The Maroon and White return to Patriot League play in their next contest on Saturday, traveling to Boston, Massachusetts for a meeting with Boston U. Opening draw with the Terriers is set for 4 p.m.