PHILADELPHIA- Despite controlling the game early, Monmouth University's (2-2) Women's Lacrosse team could not overcome an early second half deficit in Wednesday's 13-10 setback to Saint Joseph's University (1-1).

Three Olivia Higson (Cheadle Hulme, England/Withington Girls School) goals helped Monmouth build a 4-1 lead over the first 18 minutes of the game but Saint Joe's score three goals in a five minute span to tie it up early on in the second half. Junior Ashley Cross (Great Falls, VA/Bishop O'Connell) regained the lead for the Hawks momentarily at the 29:26 mark but the SJU answered with five unanswered goals over a 10 minute span to take a 9-5 lead with just over 17 minutes remaining.

"Today was a battle from beginning to end,” said Monmouth Head Coach Eileen Ghent. “St. Joe's is a tough team that did a great job controlling the 50/50 balls. We had moments of greatness, but weren't able to put together a complete game."

The two teams traded goals when Higson's fourth tally of the night cut the lead to 10-7 but back to back Saint Joe's goals gave the home team a five goal lead with 7:26 left. Monmouth didn't go quietly, scoring three goals from 6:21 to 3:48 to climb to within two but SJU's Nora McCallion scored her second marker of the game with 1:41 to play to finish the comeback attempt, with MU eventually falling 13-10.

Higson led all scorers with a season-high four goals while senior Michelle Gonzales (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) had three points on a goal and two assists. Senior Marial Pierce (Middleburg, VA/St. John's Catholic Prep) had three points on a pair of goals and an assist with Cross finishing with a pair of goals. Defensively, senior Kristina Vangeli (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) had a career-high five caused turnovers and four ground balls while adding two draw controls to her school record. Caroline Huelster (Mount Laurel, NJ/Medford) had six saves in 45 minutes of work before being relieved by freshman Riley Brager (Reisterstown, MD/Roland Park Country).

"One bright spot was Kristina. She was able to come up with some clutch caused turnovers and ground balls when we really needed it,” said Ghent. “She proved to be a great leader out there."

McCallion finished with five points on two goals and three helpers. Saint Joe's got three-goal efforts out of both Mallory Gray and Mary Egan, the latter of which also had five assists. Goalie Genevieve Giblin made four saves in goal.

Saint Joe's held a 24-19 advantage in shots and a 14-10 lead in draw controls. Each team finished with 19 turnovers.

"We look forward to using the next week to move forward, learn from our mistakes and refocus,” said Ghent.

Monmouth will have a week off before returning to Philadelphia to face Drexel next Wednesday at 4 PM.