March 21, 2002

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Leopard women's lacrosse team picked up their third straight win with a 9-6 victory over Big East foe Rutgers on Thursday at Rappolt Field. Senior Heather McClelland led the Lafayette attack with two goals and three assists on the day.

Lafayette (3-3) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first seven minutes of play on goals from Fallon Cunningham, Erin Gallagher and McClelland. Rutgers (2-4) got on the scoreboard on a goal from Jessica Mosey, but the Leopards responded less than a minute later with a goal from senior co-captain Stephanie Tinney. Tinney added her second goal of the game four minutes later for a commanding 5-1 lead.

Rutgers' Missy Mosey scored on an assist from Jessica Gallogly as the Scarlet Knights began finding offensive rhythm midway through the first half. Rutgers' Christina Curiale cut the goal deficit to two (5-3) on an unassisted effort at 11:30. Lafayette responded with a goal by sophomore Jennifer Stone on a McClelland assist at 8:57 for a 6-3 lead.

The Scarlet Knights fought back to tie the game, 6-6, on two goals from Maggie Bopp at 7:12 and 0:38, and a goal by Cali Wojdyla at 2:16. With 38 seconds remaining in the half, Lafayette's leading scorer McClelland picked up the a draw control for the one last scoring attempt. McClelland ran around several Rutgers' defensemen and managed a diving shot past the goalie for a 7-6 Leopard lead going into halftime.

Lafayette's Kim Maron gave the Leopards an 8-6 lead on an unassisted effort less than six minutes into the second half. Led by senior goalie Leela Strong, the Lafayette defense held Rutgers scoreless in the second half. With 9:36 remaining, McClelland found a leaping Gallagher in front of the Rutgers' goal for the final tally of the game.

Strong finished with 17 saves in goal for the Leopards. Rutgers' Lauren Gulotta played the majority of the game, making six stops in 50 minutes. Lyndsey Feldman spent 10 minutes in goal for Rutgers, making two saves.

Rutgers outshot Lafayette, 29-17, but the Leopards won the battle on the turf, picking up 44 ground balls to the Scarlet Knights' 19.

Lafayette opens Patriot League play on Saturday as it hosts Bucknell at 1 p.m.

ScoringFirst Half:
Time    Team    Goal                    Assist1-28:56 LC  Fallon Cunningham       Heather McClelland1-24:48 LC  Erin Gallagher          Stephanie Tinney1-23:24 LC  McClelland              ---1-18:52 RU  Jessica Mosey           ---1-18:18 LC  Tinney                  ---1-14:14 LC  Tinney                  ---1-13:32 RU  Missy Mosey             Jessica Gallogly1-11:30 RU  Christina Curiale       ---1- 8:57 LC  Jennifer Stone          McClelland1- 7:12 RU  Maggie Bopp             Jessica Apel1- 2:16 RU  Cali Wojdyla            ---1- 0:38 RU  Bopp                    Gallogly1- 0:20 LC  McClelland              ---
Second Half:Time    Team    Goal                    Assist2-24:16 LC  Kim Maron               ---2-9:36  LC  Gallagher               McClelland