April 1, 2007
Final Stats
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The La Salle lacrosse team was looking to get back in the win column when they hosted the Villanova Wildcats in a non-conference contest at Temple's Geasey Field on Sunday afternoon. Despite a game-high four goals from freshman Jillian Davis, the Explorers fell short in overtime, dropping the game 10-9. The loss puts La Salle's season record at 4-4, while the Wildcats improved to 4-5.
Villanova opened the game with a holding and passing pattern near the goal, but the Wildcats were unsuccessful in their attempts as La Salle eventually got control of the ball and then senior Tiffany Grossi got the scoring started at the 9:30 mark of the game off a pass from Kelly Heiss.
Up next, Davis, the two-time Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week started her offense run scoring an unassisted goal at the 17:03 mark. Davis waited just 1:13 to net her second goal with the help of Grossi to give the Explorers a 3-0 lead. Villanova responded with back-to-back goals by Taylor Lucy to close the gap to 3-2 with 10:19 to play in the half.
La Salle freshman Stefany McKee drilled a shot down the middle of the net with 7:42 to play in the period before Davis recorded a hat trick in the game just 38 seconds later. With the Explorers up 5-2, Villanova got serious with two minutes to go until the intermission as Erica Rybinski started a scoring run for the Wildcats. Christina Bahrs scored next for Villanova on a free-position shot and Stevie McFadden tide the game at 5-5 with 36 seconds left to play.
In the second half, Emily Bonczek got on the scoreboard with an unassisted goal just 28 seconds into the period and Erika Matthews scored at the 33:45 mark to give the Explorers a two-goal lead at 7-5. Villanova's Taryn McKenna scored to close the gap, but Davis pushed the Explorer lead back to two with 18:43 to play.
Bahr took advantage of another free position shot to again to close the gap to 8-7 before Shannon Sullivan tied the game at the 47:24 mark. McKee dropped a shot low in the corner to give the Explorers the go-ahead goal with 8:11 to play. Sullivan tied the game for the third time at 9-9 and forced an overtime period.
Villanova controlled the draw in the overtime, as Sullivan recorded a hat trick and the game-winner at the 62:38 mark of the game.
La Salle goalkeeper Brittany Friedrich faced 23 shots in the contest and recorded eight saves, including six in the first half. Friedrich also led the team with five ground balls. Villanova's Jessica Brozena logged 66 minutes of playing time and faced 26 shots enroute to posting eight saves.
The Explorers will return to action on Thursday, April 5th, when they open Atlantic 10 conference play hosting the St. Bonaventure Bonnies at 3:00 p.m.
