Box Score The Misericordia University women's lacrosse team's second half rally came up just short, as the Cougars (1-4) fell to Alvernia (3-3), 12-9, Tuesday afternoon at Mangelsdorf Field.
 
Kate Pagnotta led the Cougars' offensive attack with five goals while Jenny Perucca and Allie Elmes had two goals each. Rachel Taylor picked up an assist for MU in the loss to the Crusaders.
 
Candace Knight and Jacquelyn Strange led Alvernia with four goals each.
 
The Crusaders jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on goals from Strange and Julie Sutton, but Pagnotta halted the run and put the Cougars on the board with a goal at the 22:09 mark of the first half.
 
Alvernia then extended its lead to 4-1 on goals from Alexandria Leddy and Angel Adams.
 
The Cougars again responded as Elmes picked up her first goal while the Cougars were playing down a player. Perucca then brought MU to within 4-3 with a goal on a free-possession shot.
 
Strange and Knight scored two goals each leading the Crusaders on a 4-0 run to close out the half and take an 8-4 lead.
 
MU came out on a mission in the second half, as Pagnotta scored three of her four second half goals in the first 15 minutes of the half and Perucca added her second goal of the game, bringing MU to within 9-7 with just under 18 minutes left in the game.
 
The Crusaders then responded with three goals of their own extending their lead to 12-7 with 7:38 left in the game.
 
Elmes picked up her second goal of the game with 6:52 left to play and Pagnotta scored her fifth and final goal of the game with just under four minutes to play, but the Crusaders hung on for the 12-9 victory.
 
The Cougars travel to Reading to take on Alvernia, Tuesday afternoon at 4:00.