GLASSBORO, N.J. (April 16, 2008) – After holding a 12-8 lead at intermission, the 16th-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team was out-scored by a count of 6-1 in the final half by Rowan University, which pulled out a 14-13 victory on Wednesday evening in Glassboro, N.J. Freshman midfielder Christine Smith had an impressive night with a goal, five ground balls, seven draws and a caused turnover.
Profs' (11-2) junior attacker Lauren Crennan (Pottstown, Pa.) started the second period with an unassisted goal to cut the deficit to three. But, the Ducks (9-3) answered with a goal by freshman attacker Michelle Buonacuore to take back the four-goal advantage with 25 minutes left. Shortly thereafter, Rowan notched five unanswered goals to win the game. Junior midfielder Carly Welsh (Allenwood, N.J.) recorded the equalizer and the game-winner with 10:22 and 6:13 remaining in regulation, respectively.
Stevens opened up the first half with five straight goals to grab hold of a 5-0 lead with just under 27 minutes to go. Senior attacker Liz Mather and freshman attacker Leah Wasserman each notched a goal and an assist in the run. That was followed by three unanswered scores from the Profs. Welsh, Crennan and senior attacker Caitlin Meseroll (Oakhurst, N.J.) accounted for the scoring.
After that, the Ducks came back with five of the next seven to take a 10-5 advantage with under 11 minutes to go. Sophomore attacker Alyssa Pigott tallied a hat trick in that span to give herself four scores for the evening. Rowan responded by rattling off another three in a row. That got it within two at 10-8. Meseroll had two goals, while Crennan added a tally and an assist. Stevens capped off the half with a pair of goals to go into the locker room ahead by four.
Buonacuore finished with three goals, three ground balls and two caused turnovers. Wasserman contributed two goals and an assist. She also picked up three ground balls and two caused turnovers. Mather posted a goal and two assists. In addition to her four goals, Pigott won two draw controls. Freshman defender/midfielder Kate Cox amassed a goal, four ground balls and three caused turnovers.
Crennan totaled three goals, two assists, two ground balls and two caused turnovers. Meseroll collected a game-high five goals. Welsh earned three goals and six draws. Senior midfielder Kerry O'Donnell (Toms River, N.J) chipped in with three draw controls and two ground balls.
Junior goaltender Alicia Mannino (Richboro, Pa.) made 18 saves for the Profs. Senior goalkeeper Stephanie Linder stopped nine shots for the Ducks.
Stevens held a 34-29 advantage in shots, 24-21 margin in ground balls and a 15-14 edge in draw controls. It also converted 11-of-17 (64.7 percent) clears, while Rowan was 13-of-17 (76.5 percent) on its clearing attempts. Both teams were unable to capitalize in the free position as they were a combined 0-for-8.
The Ducks return to action this Saturday when they return to the De Baun Athletic Complex to take on Empire 8 foe Rochester Institute of Technology. The opening draw is slated for 1 p.m. and you can watch all of the action live at www.Empire8.tv.
