Meadville, PA — The Oberlin College women's lacrosse team defeated the Allegheny College Gators, 20-14, in a crucial North Coast Athletic Conference victory on Frank B. Fuhrer Field Wednesday evening. 

The Yeowomen jumped out to an early 6-2 lead when Sydney Garvis completed her first-half hat trick off a feed from Kyra Aviles with 21:56 on the clock. The Gators scored the next two goals, but a 5-2 run to close out the half made it an 11-6 Oberlin advantage at the intermission. 

Oberlin kept Allegheny at bay the rest of the way as they extended its lead to 14-7 when Natalie Rauchle burried a goal off an Aviles assist with 26:31 left on the clock and never looked back. 

Rauchle led the way offensively with a season-high nine goals and one assist for 10 points. Rauchle's classmate in Garvis also added five goals and one assist for six points in the game. 

The Yeomen won the battle at the draw, 28-8, as Rauchle tallied 12 draw controls and Garvis grabbed 10. Oberlin also outshot the Gators 31-30 in the contest. 

Junior goalkeeper Siena Marcelle played all 60 minutes in net and racked up seven saves in the victory. 

Oberlin goes improves to 3-0 in NCAC play and is 7-3 overall. The Gators fall to 5-6 overall and 1-2 in conference play. 

The Yeowomen are back in acton on Saturday as they make the long trip to Greencastle, Indiana for a NCAC game against the DePauw University Tigers at 2:30 p.m.