CANTON, Ohio - The Malone University women's lacrosse team took an early lead but lost a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) contest to Tiffin University on Thursday afternoon. Prior to the start of the 11-9 loss, the Pioneers recognized their senior Cam English.
 
Malone is now 10-3 on the year and 4-2 in conference play. Tiffin advances their record to 7-5 and 4-1 inside the G-MAC.
 
The Pioneers took a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from English, Alana Samek and Ashtyn Praeter. The Dragons netted three in a row to take a slight lead at 4-3, but Samek scored the game-tying goal just before the end of the first period. Tiffin was just 3-of-7 on clearing attempts and Malone brought in nine groundballs to the Dragons' four.
 
The defense was suffocating for the Pioneers in the second quarter. Malone won the period 3-0 and laid claim to a 7-4 lead at halftime. Praeter netted back-to-back goals while up a man near the midway point in the frame. English scored for the second time as well.
 
Tiffin turned the tables in the third with a four-goal difference to go up 8-7 with 15 minutes remaining. The Pioneers took just three shots, all of them on-goal, but the Dragons were able to make the necessary saves.
 
The scoring run carried into the fourth quarter as well as Tiffin took a 10-7 lead. Abbey Burns scored to stop the run with 11:53 to play. A long scoreless drought was brought to a close by Praeter to make it 10-9 with less than five minutes to play. The Dragons were able to control possession in the closing seconds and tallied an insurance goal to get to the 11-9 final with 40 seconds left.
 
Sydney Atkinson (10-3) made five saves and played all 60 minutes. Praeter, Burns, English, Samantha Williams and Regan Blythe forced two caused turnovers each. Blythe was also credited with her 100th career ground ball in the loss.
 
The Pioneers take on Ashland University in their next game on Saturday, April 11 at 12:00 P.M.