BETHLEHEM, Pa.- The Lafayette women's lacrosse team was defeated by conference opponent and local rival, Lehigh, on Wednesday evening in Bethlehem, Pa. The Leopards move to 2-11 on the season and 1-6 in conference play with the final score of 16-6.

Lehigh's Nora Giordano took the first two goals of the game, off of a free-position attempt and an in-field shot assisted by Gabby Schneider.

The Mountain Hawks led by three with just under four minutes left in the first quarter.

Junior attacker Meghan McLachlan put the Leopards on the board at 2:58 after circling the crease to get past Lehigh's goalkeeper. Lehigh book-ended the quarter at 0:14.

The Mountain Hawks extended their streak by two, before Lafayette's senior attacker Olivia Cunningham scored her 25^th goal of the season (13:18). This goal marks her 100^th career point during her time on College Hill as she leads the team with 34 current points.

Lehigh tallied three more to their score in the next ten minutes.

Junior midfielder Kerry Tuorto cut the Mountain Hawk's lead down to six with a successful free-position shot at 4:23.

Lehigh retaliated at 3:19 and sophomore midfielder Abby Romano immediately fired back, assisted by Sophia Spallone. Romano added her second goal within the next forty seconds.

The third quarter started with two goals from the Mountain Hawks (14:02, 12:31) and a period of heightened defense where neither team found the net.

The scoring drought ended at 0:45, when Lehigh's Katia Carnevale received a quick pass off of the beginning of a free-position shot.

Junior midfielder Katie Chiasson made a successful free-position attempt of her own at 14:09. Another ten-minute stretch of defensive battle was put to a stop by Lehigh's Carnevale at 6:04.

Giordano and Emma Eberhardt continued the Mountain Hawk scoring streak for a final score of 16-6 in favor of Lehigh.

Lehigh had the advantage in ground balls (27-17), shots (36-23), caused turnovers (10-8) and clears (17-21 to 11-20). Lafayette tied the Mountain Hawks in draw controls at 13 apiece.

The Leopards' sophomore goalkeeper Lexie Coldiron made eight saves before sharing the net with freshman Molly Terraciano, who made seven of her own. Their Lehigh counterparts, Hayley Hunt and Kerry McHugh, made 11 and one, respectively.

The Leopards invite Loyola Md. to Fisher Stadium this Saturday to celebrate Senior Day.