ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Cedar Crest College lacrosse team rallied from a three-goal second half deficit and picked up a 7-6 triumph over Purchase College on Friday night in a non-conference tilt at the FalconPlex.  

Freshman Abi Sipel (Bethlehem, Pa. /Freedom) netted the eventual game-winner with 2:43 remaining in regulation to secure the Falcons' first win of the season and the first career victory for Head Coach Rylee Gould.

Cedar Crest found itself trailing 6-3 at the half after junior Madison Buttice (Bethpage, N.Y.) buried a shot with one second to go in the second quarter.

The Falcons mounted a comeback beginning with the second of three goals from Maddie Graham (Clayton, Del./Smyrna) with 10:31 to play in the third stanza. The assist went to classmate Brynn Rifino (Dover, Del./Smyrna). Then, just over four minutes later, sophomore Emily Schoelier (Newton, N.J./Sussex County Technical) notched her lone goal of the contest to cut the deficit to one (6-5).

Freshman Lauren Jackson (Ambler, Pa./Wissahickon) tied the game at six-all with 8:48 left to play. Graham picked up the helper on the tally.

Sipel netted the game-winner 6:05 later, being set up by classmate Ashley Large (Parker, Colo./Regis Jesuit), to give the Falcons the win.  

Cedar Crest got its scoring from Graham (three), Jackson (two), Sipel (one), and Schoelier (one). Sophomore goalie Mira Carver (Lebanon, N.J./North Hunterdon) finished with 11 saves in the victory.

Cedar Crest (1-2 overall) will close its four-game homestand on Thursday, March 31 against Rutgers-Camden at 5:00 p.m. Purchase (1-3 overall) returns to action on Friday, April 1 with a home conference contest against the College of Mount Saint Vincent at 7:00 p.m.

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