STEVENSON, Md. – Sydney DeGirolamo finished with five points and Courtney O'Dea netted a hat trick, but the nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College women's lacrosse team fell to Stevenson University, 11-10, on Saturday at Mustang Stadium.  With the defeat, Fisher, which is ranked fourth in the latest Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association poll, fell to 0-1 while the Mustangs improved to 1-3 following the victory.

DeGirolamo scored twice and handed out three assists in the loss to go along with three groundballs and a caused turnover.  In addition to her three goals, O'Dea also dished out one assist and had four shots in all.  Brittany Halpin contributed two goals and an assist along with a team-leading nine shots while Kathleen Salanger found the back of the net twice in the loss.

After battling to a 5-5 tie following the first 30 minutes of play, Fisher found itself facing a two-goal gap midway through the third period.  After forcing a turnover on a clear, Fisher was awarded a free position opportunity as Halpin fired one past the Mustangs' keeper to pull Fisher to within one. 

Clinging to a one-goal lead with time winding down, Stevenson answered with two straight goals before Salanger broke free and scored to make it 9-7 leading into the fourth.

Trailing by two with 15 minutes to play, Fisher forced a turnover off the opening draw before DeGirolamo found Salanger in front to make it 9-8 with under 12 minutes showing on the clock.

With momentum beginning to favor the visitors, Stevenson regrouped and scored two goals in a span on 49 seconds to push the gap back to three with 9:56 remaining in regulation.

Facing a three-goal gap and with time working against it, Fisher continued to work its offense as DeGirolamo laced a pass to O'Dea who found the back of the net to cut the deficit to two, 11-9.  From there, Fisher would pull to within one with 4:43 left to play after Halpin scored her second goal of the game, but the Mustangs would buckle down on the defensive end of the field as the final horn sounded on a one-goal difference.

Lilly Goodsell played all 60 minutes in net for Fisher and was saddled with the loss after allowing 11 goals and making five saves.

The Cardinals will continue their swing through Maryland as they take on No. 1 Salisbury University next Saturday with the opening draw scheduled for 1 p.m.