HOOKSETT, N.H. – While both combatants equaled each other in the second half by putting up four goals apiece, a two-score difference at the halftime break was ultimately what propelled Southern New Hampshire past the Presbyterian College lacrosse team on Saturday afternoon, the third road matchup of the year for PC that ended in a 14-12 loss.

For the second consecutive contest, the Blue Hose compiled at least four multi-goal efforts while bumping up that number to five in the defeat. Kylie Sullivan was one of those two-score competitors over the weekend in her home state, joined by Abby Edmisten, Willow Hammond, Kaylie Rittmueller, and Brooke Chandler.

Head coach Eric Clakeley's squad will remain on their northeast excursion for a Tuesday encounter at Central Connecticut, looking to buck a three-match trend in the all-time series that favors the Blue Devils. Opening draw will be held at 3:00 PM in New Britain.

 
NOTABLES
 
- Presbyterian surpassed double digits in the scoring column for the fourth occasion in 2024, outgunning the Penmen in both the 2^nd and 4^th periods to stay within striking distance following the home side's blazing beginning.

- Edmisten and Hammond remain tied with each other for the top spot on the club in terms of total goals produced (10 apiece), while Rittmueller stays in hot pursuit of that title by hitting the ninth strike of her freshman campaign with 9:46 left in the 2^nd.

- Trailing by four in the early going, Clakeley's gang kept within reach for the entirety of the bout and cut that deficit in half on multiple occasions.

- Each time that the tally fell back to a deuce, however, SNHU responded with a blow to momentarily quiet the comeback.

- In fact, neither team could register two goals in a row over the final 30 minutes of action, flipping back and forth which allowed Southern New Hampshire to take the W in their home opener.

- Recording a perfect ratio in clear attempts throughout their last two appearances, PC was again very efficient in that category (17-for-19) next to 21 groundball pickups.

- Sophomore Avery West engineered a career-best performance on the defensive end of the field, accounting for six of those loose ball recoveries as well as a career-best six caused turnovers.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
- Although Hammond was the first player to find the back of the net on Saturday, the next five successful swings came from Southern New Hampshire, forcing Presby to play catch-up for the remainder of the affair.

- Edmisten, Rittmueller, and transfer Alyssa Perez authored a 3-0 run with their backs against the wall – one of seven instances where PC cut the advantage to a minimum of two – although SNHU closed the opening quarter on top by a 7-4 clip.

- Four different Blue Hose added to the box score during the last 10-minute window prior to the break, amounting to a 10-8 edge from the Penmen at the midway point.

- As mentioned above, both sides traded goals from the start of the 3^rd until the final horn sounded, negating PC's attempts to snare the lead as the score ping-ponged between a deficit of either two or three.

- Kayleigh Aitken filled in at the goalkeeper's spot for starter Naomi Lauderbaugh after the first stanza, gathering six saves over 45 minutes of relief.

 
NEXT UP
 
- The Blue Hose will meet Central Connecticut in three days for the program's third-ever visit to New Britain, squaring off with a foe that fell to Wagner on Saturday by a 19-11 margin.

- CCSU holds a 1-5 mark on the semester, their lone victory to this point occurring over Howard back on March 6 in a 14-4 route.