REDLANDS — Mackenzie Wright and the Occidental College women's lacrosse team were close to taking a commanding lead in the SCIAC standings, battling second-place Redlands in a back-and-forth nail-biter on the road on Saturday night.

But despite Wright's three goals, one assist and the Tigers resilient effort, Oxy took its first conference loss of the season, falling 12-9 to the defending champs.

Oxy falls to 8-3 overall and 5-1 in SCIAC play. The Tigers are still in control of their own destiny and can set themselves up with a home playoff run by taking care of business in their final four regular season conference games.

Redlands improves to 8-3 overall and ties Oxy at 5-1 in first place in the SCIAC. Pomona-Pitzer is in second at 4-2.

The lead changed hands eight times and was tied frequently, with neither team holding more than a two-goal advantage until the KK McCaslin gave the Bulldogs a 12-9 lead with 15:22 left in the game. 

Neither team scored after that.

Oxy looked like it was in good shape for a big road victory when it overcame a 7-5 halftime lead to take a 9-8 edge on a goal by Alida Beck.

Beck finished with a pair of goals, Beebe Finch Sanders scored two and Tori Larson and Rebecca Belding each added one.

Oxy just couldn't generate offense after that and Redlands made enough plays to take control of the game.

Stephanie Garrett scored a game-high five goals and had five draw controls for the Bulldogs.

Larson led Oxy with four draw controls and Emily Fowler had three caused turnovers.

Oxy returns to action on Wednesday, hosting Chapman on Wednesday at 7 p.m at Jack Kemp Stadium.

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