WASHINGTON- Trailing 6-2 after the first half, The Catholic University of America women's lacrosse team rallied for a comeback, falling just 9-8 to nationally-ranked No. 16 York College of Pa., on Wednesday night.

The Cardinals got off to a slow start but outplayed the Spartans in shots (20-17), caused turnovers (15-5) and ground balls (26-20) throughout the 60 minutes. In the second half alone the Cards caused 10 turnovers while scooping up 14 ground balls, taking nine shots and scoring six goals to tie the game at eight with a just over three minutes remaining.

Although the Cards dominated turnovers the Spartans won 15 of 19 draw controls, where they capitalized to earn the midweek victory.

Juniors Alexis Bosilovic and Clair Schmitzer were Catholic's rocks in the midfield against the nationally ranked opponent. Defensively Bosilovic caused six turnovers with six ground balls, while offensively scoring two goals with five shots on goal. Schmitzer added another five caused turnovers with four ground balls and one goal to the Catholic tally.

In the first half the Spartans got right on the board with two goals in the first 10 minutes. Another 10 minutes passed before they scored again, going ahead 3-0. Catholic's first goal came when junior Anna Stumme capitalized on a free position shot in the 23rd minute, but the Spartans answered with two more.

Schmitzer put her shot between the pipes with 38 seconds remaining in the half, but after winning the draw the Spartans snuck one more in before the intermission. York (Pa.) led 6-2 at halftime.

York opened the second half with another goal before CUA freshman Megan Ellis ripped a shot into the cage for Catholic. The Spartans tallied one more before the Cardinals went on a five goal run.

Back-to-back goals from Bosilovic started the Catholic streak, followed by a clean shot into the net from junior Ana Brandenburg. Junior Laura Dunn was next, scoring the Card's fourth unanswered goal in a three and half minutes span. With three minutes to play Stumme was awarded another free position shot to tie the game, bringing the score to 8-8.

The Spartans found time to put one more in the cage and then win the final draw to maintain possession as the clock expired, 9-8, in their favor.

Catholic Freshman Erin Dugan won two of the Cardinals four draw controls while picking up two ground balls. Stumme and Dunn added three ground balls apiece to Catholic's tally while each taking two shots on goal.