April 6, 2008
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, PA - Through the first 11 games of its season, the La Salle women's lacrosse team has showed the ability to score in bunches; unfortunately, the scoring outbursts have not translated into a victory. Sunday's game at Saint Joseph's was no exception, as the Explorers fell just short in an 11-9 defeat to the Hawks.
It was truly a tale of two halves; La Salle dug itself into a 7-2 deficit at halftime before crawling back to outscore St. Joe's 7-4 in the final period. The Explorers (0-11, 0-4 A-10) scored three goals in the closing minutes, but once again saw time expire on a late rally.
Saint Joseph's (7-5, 2-1 A-10) got off to a hot start, scoring the game's first four goals. La Salle was held scoreless for the first 24:38 before Erika Matthews put the Explorers on the board on a free position shot. Emily Bonczek made it a 4-2 game with 1:56 to play in the half also on a free position. However, three Hawk goals in the final 50 seconds sent the Explorers into the intermission facing a five-goal deficit.
Whatever momentum St. Joe's had going into the half was quickly reversed, as La Salle opened the second half by scoring three straight goals. Kelly Heiss cut the Hawk lead to 7-3 with her goal at the 25:11 mark. Two minutes later, Liz Iacullo scored on a free position shot, making it a 7-4 game. Iacullo found the back of the cage moments later, cutting the deficit to just two.
St. Joe's snapped out of its scoreless streak with 13:02 to play, but Bonczek responded with her second goal of the day off of an assist from Matthews.
The Hawks rattled off three straight to make it an 11-6 game with 6:59 left. Bonczek got the Explorer rally started with her score at the 4:44 mark. Allie Venuti got into the scoring column with under two minutes to play and Dorothy Schalleur scored her first goal of the season to cut the lead back down to two, but it was too little too late.
Bonczek once again led the Explorers, scoring three goals on the afternoon. Jessica Hanson had a strong defensive effort, recording four ground balls and causing three turnovers. Ellen Axelsen got the start in goal and stopped six shots.
The Hawks were led by Christina Colangelo's five goals. Suzy Herlihy got the win in goal, recording 10 saves on the day.
The Explorers will host Lafayette in their final home non-conference game this Tuesday evening.
