OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Stevenson women's lacrosse team outscored No. 18 Messiah 7-2 in the second half but the Mustangs could not come back from a six-goal deficit as the Falcons won the Commonwealth Conference title rematch, 11-10, in the conference opener for both teams Wednesday afternoon at Mustang Stadium.

The Mustangs (4-6, 0-1 MAC), who dropped their third-straight game, are 0-4 against ranked teams this season. The team is 2-7 against opponents ranked in the IWLCA Division III Coaches Poll Top 20 Poll dating back to last year.

Leading 3-2, the Falcons (4-4, 1-0 MAC) used a 6-1 run over a 16:45 span to take a 9-3 lead at halftime. Clare Stikeleather totaled all five points on four goals and an assist in the opening half.

Stevenson opened the second half on a 3-0 run in the first 3:38, highlighted by two goals and an assist by sophomore Olivia Monteiro. Freshman Hollie Larrimore scored her second goal of the game for her first multi-goal game of the season.

After Messiah tallied twice to extend its lead to 11-6 with 21:48, the Mustangs scored four unanswered goals including the last by freshman Brady Heher with 1:40 left to cut the hosts deficit to just one.

But the Falcons won the ensuing draw control and 1:34 before junior Carli Bafford forced a turnover but with just six seconds remaining.

The Mustangs leading scorer, senior Kathryn Merrick, was held without a point for just the second time in her three-year career, snapping a 40-game point streak.

Defensively, senior Meg Gill finished with four ground balls and four caused turnovers. The program leader in caused turnovers, Gill now has 102 for her career while she is 18 ground balls shy of tying the record.

Senior Leanne Bittner finished with six saves while her counterpart Alexa Dipeso totaled 13.

Stevenson hits the road for back-to-back Commonwealth Conference contests beginning on Saturday, March 28 when the Mustangs face Albright. Opening draw is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.