FINDLAY, Ohio -- The Wildcats of Northern Michigan University women's lacrosse rallied back from down five to take a late second-half lead but in the end, it was the Oilers of the University of Findlay who picked up the 21-20 win Monday afternoon.

The first eight goals of the game were exchanged back and forth between both teams. The Oilers struck first followed by an Emily Renfrew goal for the Wildcats. After another Findlay goal, Jessica Daniels evened things up for NMU on a free position shot.

Renfrew would score again in the stretch while Kaitlyn Bridger added a goal of her own.

Daniels scored right after Bridger to give the Wildcats a 5-4 advantage.

The Oilers tied it up five-all before a Katelyn Mongold goal gave NMU the lead yet again.

Findlay rallied after falling behind and scored three consecutive goals, building an 8-6 cushion over the visiting team. Daniels was able to stop the run with a free position goal of her own.

Another Oilers goal built their lead back up to two, but it did not last as the Wildcats went on a 3-0 run of their own to go up 10-9. Renfrew scored two goals, one with a free position shot, in the run while Daniels added one in a man-up situation for NMU.

Back-to-back goals from Findlay sent the teams to the half with the home-standing Oilers up 11-10. 

Findlay carried their momentum into the second half as they scored four consecutive goals to increase their lead to 15-10. The last two goals of the run occurred with the Oilers a player-up.

Madeline Bittell put a stop to the Wildcat opponent's run with a goal that kicked off a 3-0 run pulling NMU within two with 21 minutes left in regulation. Renfrew scored the other two goals in the run.

Another man-up period for Findlay allowed them to put another one in the net, going up 16-13. 

Starting at the 18:28 mark the Wildcats had goals scored from Natalie McGinnis and Renfrew followed by three Oilers' goals.

NMU went on a tear with eight minutes left in the contest. A Renfrew man-up goal kicked off a 5-0 run that pushed the Wildcats into the lead 20-19 with 40 seconds to go. Bridger, Bittell, and Aleya Speas each scored in the offensive flurry. Renfrew hit the final goal for the visiting team in yet another man-up situation.

The comeback ended up falling short for the Wildcats as Findlay was able to score two goals in 15 seconds to earn the 21-20 win.

Renfrew had a game-high 9 goals. Her mark ties the one set by Shelby Klotz in 2017 for the most goals in a game in program history. She made the goals off 10 shots, all of which were on frame.

Bittell led the team in draw controls with six while Mongold and Lauryn Rygiel added four each.

Jessica Close had a team-high three caused turnovers and two ground balls and was followed by Renfrew and Heather Beebe who had two caused turnovers each. Goalie Cam Stilson and Beebe each collected three ground balls.

Stilson had 7 saves in 43:45 of game time as the keeper while Aliyah Smukala saw action for 16:15.

The second home game of the season awaits NMU on Friday. The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener against Concordia-St. Paul is set for 6 p.m. inside the Superior Dome.