April 6, 2002

EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - The Lafayette women's lacrosse team overcame a two-goal deficit in the first half to defeat Patriot League foe Villanova, 12-8 on Saturday at Rappolt Field. The Leopards were down 4-3 at halftime, but outscored the Wildcats 9-4 in the second stanza to claim sole possession of first place with a record of 3-0 in league play.

Villanova (6-3, 3-1) got on the board first with a tally from Bess Hanley on an assist from Cecily Pierce at 25:58. Lafayette's scoring duo of Heather McClelland and Jennifer Stone teamed up for a goal at 20:43 and combined for another tally at 12:23 to give the Leopards a 2-1 lead. The Wildcats responded with a fast-break goal from Katie Komlo at 9:55.

Villanova's Elizabeth Firth converted on a free position shot at 6:10 while Lafayette's Kim Maron scored on a pass from Katie Curtin at 5:27 for a 3-3 tie game. The Wildcats' Sarah DePeters gave Villanova a 4-3 edge heading into halftime with a free position goal at 2:45.

The Wildcats opened the scoring in the second half on an unassisted goal from Megan Carolan at 25:39, but the lead didn't last long. Lafayette responded to score four unanswered goals in the next three minutes of play. McClelland took a pass from Stone at 25:03 for the pair's third connection of the game followed by Stephanie Tinney's free position goal at 23:44. Sophomore Jill Marvin scored on a pass from Curtin at 23:08 followed by sophomore Erin Gallagher's first goal of the day at 22:41as Lafayette took a 7-5 lead. Villanova came to within one on a Steph Haas goal at 18:41, but the home team fought back to retain its' two-goal lead when Gallagher found the back of the net at 10:35.

Lafayette freshman Ashley Dvorak found a streaking McClelland in front of the goal at 5:57 and Stone tallied her 18th goal of the year less than a minute later as the Leopards crept to a 10-6 lead. Both teams added two more goals before the final whistle but the Leopards' defense held strong for the final 12-8 win.

Senior goalie Leela Strong recorded 17 saves between the posts. McClelland led the Leopards with five goals while Stone added two goals and three assists on the day. Gallagher posted two goals and an assist while Curtin dished off two assists. Pierce led Villanova with a goal and an assist.

Lafayette (6-5, 3-0) returns to action on Tuesday in Philadelphia when it takes on La Salle at 3:30 p.m.

ScoringFirst Half:
Time        Team    Goal                    Assist1-25:58     VU          Bess Hanley             Cecily Pierce1-20:43     LC          Heather McClelland Jennifer Stone1-12:23     LC          Heather McClelland Jennifer Stone1- 9:55     VU          Katie Komlo             ---1- 6:10     VU          Elizabeth Firth         Free position1- 5:27     LC          Kim Maron               Katie Curtin1- 2:45     VU          Sarah DePeters          ---
Second Half:
Time        Team    Goal                    Assist2-25:39     VU          Megan Carolan           ---2-25:03     LC          McClelland              Stone2-23:44     LC          Stephanie Tinney        Free position2-23:08     LC          Jill Marvin             Curtin2-22:41     LC          Erin Gallagher          ---2-18:41     VU          Steph Haas              Free position2-10:35     LC          Gallagher               Free position2- 5:57     LC          McClelland              Ashley Dvorak2- 5:05     LC          Stone                   ---2- 4:38     VU          Katie Ardington         ---2- 2:04     LC          McClelland              Gallagher2- 1:26     VU          Pierce                  ---2- 1:14     LC          Stone                   Maron