PHILADELPHIA, PA - In just their second home game of the 2006 season, the
La Salle Explorers lacrosse team defeated the visiting Longwood Lancers 13-9 on Saturday afternoon at McCarthy Stadium.

In the first-ever meeting between the two teams, Longwood proved to be a worthy opponent, opening the game with two goals in the first 10 minutes.  The Explorers then took advantage of two Longwood fouls to net two free position goals by Emily Bonczek at 10:38, followed by Kat Prokop at 14:40 to eve the score at 2-2.

Longwood's Shannon Strain scored net at 15:30, but the Explorers got an offensive spark from Kristen Davis at 19:41 to again even the score.  With 5:45 to play in the half, freshman Ann Anderson accepted a pass from classmate Mara Sardella to give La Salle its first lead of the day at 4-3. The teams played evenly for the rest of the first half, with the intermission starting at a 6-6 stalemate.

After the break, Davis scored her second goal just 1:44 into the period, but the Lancers tied the game again with a goal by Michelle Owen 34 second later.

With 27:12 to play in regulation, the Explorers took control, reeling off four straight goals between the 32:48 and 46:02 marks to hold an 11-7 lead.  Longwood's Kathleen Barry broke La Salle's scoring run with 15:48 to go.  The teams traded the next two goals and with time expiring, Erika Matthews drilled the last shot of the game to give the Explorers a 13-9 victory.

La Salle goalkeeper Chantelle McCormick posted six saves in the game, with three in each half.  Longwood's Emily Wilson matched McCormick save for save in each half.

The Lancers held a 23-18 advantage in ground balls, while the Explorers committed 16 turnovers to Longwood's 21.

The Explorers will have the week off to prepare for their next opponent, Monmouth on Sunday, March 26th on the road at 1:00 p.m.