ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Cedar Crest College lacrosse defeated the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford 11-6 on Friday at FalconPlex in its season opener. The Falcons capitalized on power plays, scoring four goals with the advantage.

The Panthers secured the initial draw control and scored the first goal at 13:33. Cedar Crest responded with senior Kylah Demarest (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Township) winning the draw control and later scoring at 11:28, assisted by first-year Taylor Dotter (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area), to narrow the deficit to one.

Sophomore Angelina Plut (Blairstown, N.J./North Warren Regional) then capitalized on an assist from junior Kadee Schrader (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area), equalizing the score at 2-2 with a goal at 8:24. The Falcons continued to apply pressure, with Demarest adding another goal at 2:52 during a man-up situation, pushing the home team ahead. The frame concluded with Cedar Crest leading 3-2, having successfully turned an early deficit into a lead.

The Falcons opened the second quarter with a quick momentum shift as Demarest scored at 14:16, following up on a ground ball pickup. Demarest continued to impact the game by netting another goal less than two minutes later, assisted by Schrader, extending the Cedar Crest lead.

Pitt Bradford managed to respond with a goal at 5:28 by first-year Addison Molampy (Wallingford, Conn.), but the Falcons quickly answered back as first-year Audra Leiter (Vernon, N.J./Vernon Township) scored off a Demarest assist at 4:59. Despite a late goal by sophomore Samantha Burke (York, Pa.) for the Panthers, Cedar Crest maintained its advantage. The stanza concluded with the Falcons leading 6-4.

The third quarter started with Cedar Crest's defense stepping up as Feddor made multiple saves, including stopping a shot from Molampy at 14:14. The Falcons struggled to maintain possession, but their defensive efforts, highlighted by Feddor's saves and ground ball recoveries from players like first-year Morgan Kreibick (Philadelphia, Pa./Franklin Towne Charter), kept the Pitt Bradford from scoring.

Cedar Crest's attempts on goal were thwarted by Pitt Bradford goalkeeper first-year Lily Thuman (Buffalo, N.Y.), as shots by Demarest and Dotter were saved. Despite several turnovers, the Falcons' defense held firm, with another key save by Feddor on a free position shot from Burke in the final minute.

The quarter ended with neither team finding the back of the net, maintaining the scoreless stretch through the third quarter.

Cedar Crest started the fourth quarter with momentum as senior Olivia Moyer (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas) secured the draw control, leading to a man-up goal by Schrader, assisted by senior Ellie Terranova (Wilmington, Del./Mount Pleasant). This early score set the pace for the Falcons, who maintained their offensive pressure throughout the quarter.

After the Panthers' first-year Christina Abel (York, Pa.) scored to bring the visitors closer, the Falcons responded decisively. Schrader added another goal, and Dotter contributed with a score, extending the Cedar Crest lead. Despite a quick answer from Pitt Bradford, the Falcons kept control of the game.

In the final minutes, the Falcons capitalized on man-up opportunities, with Demarest and Schrader each finding the back of the net again. Cedar Crest closed the quarter and the game with an 11-6 victory, outscoring the Panthers 5-2 in the fourth quarter.

Demarest led the scoring for the Falcons with five goals and one assist while taking 10 shots, nine of which were on goal and also pitching in six draw controls. Schrader contributed significantly with three goals and two assists, converting all three of her shots. Feddor made a crucial impact in goal, recording 16 saves on 31 shots faced. Dotter added to the team's efforts with one goal and one assist, successfully shooting twice on goal.

Abel emerged as a key player for Pitt Bradford, leading the team with two goals and showcasing her offensive capabilities with a team-high 10 shots, six of which were on target. Molampy also contributed significantly, scoring two goals while maintaining a perfect shooting accuracy with six shots on goal. Burke found the back of the net once and was active offensively, taking nine shots with five on target and converting one unassisted goal. Junior Olivia Garcia (Aurora, Colo.) added to the scoring tally with one goal from two shots, both on target, including a power-play goal.

Looking ahead, Cedar Crest (1-0 overall) will next host Goucher College on Saturday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m. Pitt Bradford (1-1 overall) will stay on the road to play at Wilkes University on Saturday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m.