SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 5 University of New Haven women's lacrosse team battled back from a six-goal first half deficit, but had its season conclude in the NCAA Championship First Round, falling to the Le Moyne Dolphins 13-9 on Saturday afternoon at Ted Grant Field.

Courtney Ackland (Perth, Western Australia/Churchlands) scored three goals for the Chargers with Maya Szymanski (Framingham, Mass./Framingham) and Nicole Belanger (Kinnelon, N.J./Kinnelon) netting two markers apiece.

The two teams traded goals early on as after each of the first two Le Moyne goals, New Haven responded as goals by Ackland and Szymanski, the second one coming with 21:16 remaining in the first half, tied the game at 2-2. The next stretch of 17 minutes of the game belonged to Dolphins' defense and goalkeeper Molly Marbut, who made six saves first half saves including two on free position runs. Le Moyne used the good defense to take and push the lead, scoring the next six goals before a tally by Caitlin O'Brien (Branford, Conn./Branford) scored with 1:49 to go in the opening frame to slice the advantage to 8-3.

New Haven made a push before halftime as 13 seconds after O'Brien's tally, Ackland netted her second of the day. With just under a minute remaining, Belanger scored on a player-up free position run to cut the lead to 8-5 heading into halftime.

The Chargers carried the momentum into the second half as after the first six minutes passed scoreless, Ashley Travis (LaFayette, N.Y./LaFayette ) and Szymanski scored 53 seconds apart, slicing the lead to 8-7 with 22:36 remaining. Le Moyne recovered, scoring the next two goals, setting up a 10-7 lead. Trailing 11-8, New Haven chipped closer as Belanger scored her second goal of the game, assisted by Kathryn Campbell (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield) with 8:29 remaining. It was the 300th career point for Campbell, joining assistant coach Ashley Ferrandiz (West Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) as the only players in program history with 300 or more career points.

With 5:42 remaining, the Chargers had an opportunity to draw closer on a free position shot, but Marbut made the save. Le Moyne was able to score two more times in the ensuing three minutes to close out the game.

The Chargers finish the season 15-4, the second most wins in program history. It was also the second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament for New Haven, a first for the program.