WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University women's lacrosse team earned its fourth straight win with a 9-8 non-conference victory over Marywood Wednesday evening.
Sophomore Nikki Zerna scored the game-winner on a free position shot with 5:52 to play.
Shenandoah (5-2) never trailed in the contest, but constantly had to fight off a charging Marywood (2-2) squad.
The Pacers rallied to tie the game on five occasions (1-1, 2-2, 5-5, 6-6 and 8-8) before Zerna netted the game-winner with just less than six minutes to play.
Fouled in the 8-meter arc, Zerna took her free position attempt from the first hash to the left of center and slipped a bounce shot between Marywood goalie Mary Leahy's legs.
The Pacers, who had 31 shots on the day, had just one shot following Zerna's game-winning goal. Hornets goalkeeper Maddie Albornoz made her 11th and final save on that shot.
Zerna and Abby Zorrilla, the current ODAC Player of the Week, paced the victors with three goals each. Alexandra Simonson had two assists and Cassie Arndt a goal and an assist.
"We are happy to walk away with a win against a strong defensive team," head coach Lindsey Lutz said. "We were able to hold on and push through during a close battle. Learned a lot today and ready to work to improve moving forward."
Marywood outshot SU 31-24 with the Hornets scooping up 25 of the game's 45 groundballs and owning a 13-6 edge in draw controls.
Alyson Bittinger had three caused turnovers to lead the defense.
Shenandoah continues non-conference play on Saturday at Lebanon Valley.
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