Oberlin, Ohio - The Oberlin College women's lacrosse team dropped its first contest of the season as the visiting University of Mount Union Purple Raiders outlasted the Yeowomen, 9-8, on Wednesday night at the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex.

The loss moved the Yeowomen's record to 3-1 overall and marks their first defeat since the NCAC Championship game last spring. The Purple Raiders evened up their standing at 2-2 on the young season.

Oberlin trailed 7-3 midway through the second half and appeared to be in trouble as the Purple Raiders intense defense pressure held the normally high-powered Yeowomen offense in check for nearly 45 minutes of play.

However, junior Sara Phister would break through with a free-position goal at the 14:41 mark to give the Yeowomen some life as she cut the score to 7-4. Just minutes later it appeared Phister had another goal, but it was waived off due to an illegal stick - a call that ultimately loomed large and had a deciding impact on the final outcome.

After Mount Union responded to go up 8-4, reigning NCAC Player of the Week Natalie Rauchle cashed in her second goal of the game and Maggie Mullard followed with an 8-meter finish of her own to get the Yeowomen back within two with 7:18 left on the clock.

However, for the next five minutes the Purple Raiders basically played keep-away from the Yeowomen, controlling possession while milking the clock. At 2:04 Katherine Dortay would net what proved to be the game-winning goal for Mount Union.

Less than a minute later Phister sent in her second score of the game and 11^th of the season as she wheeled off the far corner and went top shelf past Mount Union goalie Nikki Bonadue.

After winning the ensuing draw control, Grace Barlow earned two free-position shots in the final minute, but sent both of them high of the cage. However, Rauchle would ultimately complete her hat trick performance with an 8-meter finish to cut the deficit to one, but just eight seconds remained on the clock. Alex Camp won the game's last draw as the final horn sounded.

The Purple Raiders controlled the run of play throughout the first half, out-shooting Oberlin 17-7 while ultimately taking a 3-2 lead into the intermission. Mullard evened the score at 1-1 at the 22:19 while Barlow scored with 1:20 to go in the frame to make the margin just a single tally.

Using pressure the entire length of the field, Mount Union forced the Yeowomen into 21 turnovers, 13 of which came in the first half. As a result, Oberlin was successful on 12-of-18 clears.

Mount Union finished with a 19-16 edge in ground balls and had an 11-8 advantage in draw controls.

Alexa L'Insalata went all 60 minutes in goal and finished with 10 saves for the Yeowomen.

Oberlin is back in action next Wednesday when it host John Carroll University at 6 p.m.