March 26, 2010
Box Score
PHILADLEPHIA- La Salle Lacrosse opened its Atlantic 10 Conference schedule with a victory after defeating the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 16-9, on Friday evening at McCarthy Stadium. With the win, the Explorers improved to 5-4 on the year and are currently 1-0 in their conference schedule.
The Explorers were led by senior Jill Davis (Folsom, PA/ Ridley) and reigning A-10 Rookie of the Week Lauren McDermott (Lansdale, PA/ North Penn), who scored five goals a piece in the victory. Igniting them to such productive outputs, the two combined for La Salle's first six goals of the second half.
La Salle picked up its largest lead when it held a 10-goal deficit once Davis picked up her fifth goal of the night on a free position shot in the game's final four minutes.
St. Bonaventure's Christine Hanley, Molly Hastrich and Daisy Timlin combined for seven of the Bonnies' nine goals on the night, which helped keep the Bonnies in the game until La Salle went on a span in which it scored nine of the first 10 goals of the second half.
Senior Stefany McKee (Baldwinsville, NY/ Baldwinsville) still remains one goal short from the 100-goal milestone for her career. On Friday night, McKee scored the game's opening goal to put the Explorers up just over two minutes into the game.
Contributions from the seniors and freshmen were continued over the course of this game when freshman Jackie Roebuck (Broomall, PA/ Marple Newtown) scored before two-time A-10 Rookie of the Week Melanie Sarcinello (Newtown Square, PA/ Marple Newtown) chipped in with a multi-goal game of her own, as she found the back of the net twice.
Also putting their names on the score sheet for the Explorers with a goal each was sophomore Taylor Ruland (Annapolis, MD/ St. Mary's) and junior Ashley Rutz (Milton, ONT./ Notre Dame College).
In the latter moments of the game, junior goalkeeper Mara Schnellenbach (Folsom, PA/ Ridley) made her 2010 season debut when she received the call to the net after junior Megan Corliss (Bluebell, PA/ Archbishop Carroll) made 11 saves on the evening.
The first conference game was a cold and physical one for both sides, as the teams combined for eight yellow cards. St. Bonaventure had five of the eight, causing itself to endure the game's only red card when sophomore Stephanie Dezio picked up a check to the head violation. Junior Jill Remick also had an early end to her night when she picked up her second yellow card.
Defensively for La Salle in this game, senior Dorothy Schalleur (Drexel Hill, PA/ Upper Darby) had another terrific outing after picking up A-10 Defensive Player of the Week honors earlier this week. Against the Bonnies, she was the only Explorer to pick up two ground balls, force two turnovers and control one draw.
The Explorers remain on campus for the weekend because they return to action rather quickly, as they host the Duquesne Dukes on Sunday morning at 11 a.m.
Note: Prior to Friday's game against St. Bonaventure, it was announced that La Salle's meeting with the Saint Joseph's Hawks this coming Thursday (April 1) at McCarthy Stadium has been changed from its original 4 p.m. start to a 2 p.m. opening draw.
