The Shippensburg University lacrosse team dropped a 16-7 decision at Mercyhurst on Friday in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup on a cold, snowy day in Erie.
 
Shippensburg (6-4, 2-4 PSAC) did not relent down the stretch despite its large deficit, scoring four times in the final 7:18 – including a hat trick from senior Ali Harclerode. For the season, Harclerode now has 21 goals – one shy of her season high set last season. She also scored the first goal of the day, giving her four for the contest.
 
Senior Amanda Frank assisted on three SU tallies – bringing her season total to 18. Frank is just four assists shy of her single-season best (22 as a sophomore).
 
Junior Allison Fugate, sophomore Morgan Stone and freshman Morgan Whiteside also had tallies on the day, while sophomore Maggie Lawshe provided an assist.
 
Senior Max Barkley and sophomore Valerie Hertz each collected a team-high three groundballs; Barkley also paced the Raiders with three draw controls. Hertz had two of SU's four caused turnovers.
 
Sophomore Bridgette Morrissey made one save in the first half, while freshman Laney Ballard was credited with four second-half saves.
  
Mercyhurst (7-2, 5-1) broke the game open with a nine-goal run spanning the game's middle 30 minutes. The Lakers held SU scoreless during the decisive stretch. Grace Lawson led all scorers with five goals.
 
Shippensburg returns to action at 11 a.m. Saturday when it faces Gannon in another pivotal PSAC showdown.