Lakewood, N.J.- Having lost four straight games and still seeking its first conference victory, the Georgian Court University women's lacrosse squad faced an early-season "must win" situation. The Lions did just that Wednesday afternoon, dropping reigning Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) champion, Philadelphia University, by a score of 10-9.

The victory marks GCU's first over the former divisional nemesis since 2012 (two games) when the Lions swept the season-series from the Lady Rams, 3-games-to-zero. Both clubs now own an overall record of 2-5 with Georgian Court improving to 1-2 in conference. Philadelphia moves to 1-1 against CACC opponents.

On this miserable, rainy, 41-degree day, Lauren Hartman (Sr.-Sewell, N.J.) put Philly on the board first with a goal just 3:04 into the game. GCU's Callie Brown proceeded to enjoy her own personal scoring spree as the junior netted a hat-trick in just 4:12 to give the home team a lead of 3-1 at 22:44.

After a goal at 22:06 put the Rams' to within 3-2, Georgian Court snapped in three more, including a pair from Silvetta Agosto and one from Taylor Bauerband to put the Lions ahead at 6-2.

Allison Brian (Sr.-Lancaster, Pa.) found the back of the net twice at 9:24 and 6:28, respectively, to edge the Rams to 6-4, but Agosto followed Brown's lead and completed her own first-half hat trick with a free-position goal at 0:20 to put the Lions ahead, 7-4, at intermission.

Brian opened the second stanza with her third score of the affair (27:28), cutting the Philly deficit to 7-5. GCU responded with three more unanswered goals to create a seemingly comfortable cushion at 10-5 with just 12:44 remaining. 

The Rams would provide some anxious moments for the GCU faithful as Philadelphia netted four quick goals in just 4:12, inching within 10-9 with 8:32 to go. The Lions, however, were able to slow the pace and control posession a majority of the remaining minutes to seal the much-needed victory.

Amanda Cathcart evened her season record to 1-1 in the GCU net, stopping five shots in the complete game. Maria Matteis (So.-Dix Hills, N.Y.) denied six Georgian Court shots in the losing effort. 

The Lions return to action on Tuesday, March 31 with a 3:30 p.m. home game vs. Post University.