DOYLESTOWN, Pa. – The Delaware Valley women's lacrosse team fell early to the United States Merchant Marine Academy Mariners and struggled to comeback dropping the contest 15-6 on Saturday afternoon. DelVal falls to 2-3 on the season while the Mariners improve to 2-1.
 
USMMA offense dominated the first nine minutes taking a 4-0 lead before Susan Rawding found the back of the net to put DelVal on the board to end the first quarter with a three-goal deficit, 4-1.
 
The Mariners came out strong again with two unanswered goals to extend the lead to five, 6-1, in the first five minutes. Kyra McKeegan found Rawding for her second goal of the game followed by an unassisted goal from Ashley Birmingham to bring the deficit down to three, 6-3. USMMA scored the final goal of the frame to re-extend its lead to four, 7-3.
 
A woman-up advantage in the third got the Aggies back in the game with McKeegan finding Charles out front of the net to make it a 7-4 game. The Mariners broke away scoring three more unanswered goals in the third to take an 11-5 lead.
 
Rawding recorded a hat trick with the Aggies only goal in the fourth frame, but the Mariners held the 4-1 edge in the final quarter taking home the 15-6 win.
 
DelVal led the Mariners in clears going 19-20 while USMMA recorded 17-20. Both teams picked up 37 ground balls apiece and went 1-2 in free position shots.
 
Rawding led the Aggies in shots with five and shots on goal with four. She also led in draw controls with three. Birmingham and McKeegan totaled a team-high six ground balls each.
 
DelVal returns to action Wednesday, Mar. 13 at 6 p.m. when they host Immaculata.