April 22, 2017 Box Score
BALTIMORE, Md. - League-leading Loyola was too much to handle for the Lafayette women's lacrosse team on Saturday afternoon in Baltimore, Md., finding the back of the net 20 times in a 20-8 defeat for the Maroon and White.
While the offensive showing was impressive from the home side, it was defensively where they won it, holding Lafayette's offense, ranked eighth in the nation at more than 15 goals per game, to just eight on the afternoon. The Leopards were able to manage just 22 shots as Loyola won the draw-control battle by a 20-9 margin.
The Leopards were able to answer the Greyhounds' scoring production early as goals from Emily Wingate and Emma Novick acted as response to the first three from Loyola to make it 3-2 with 20:12 to play in the first half. Three back from Loyola, including a pair from Hannah Powers, put the lead at four, 6-2, but Jane Kirby answered this time, finishing a Kirsten Wilhelmsen feed to trim the edge to three at 6-3 with 13:47 on the clock.
A goal from Frankie Kamely at the 12:12 mark in the first proved to be the turning point in the game, though, as that sparked five straight to push the edge to 11-3. Wilhelmsen's tally stopped the run, but only for a short stint as eight more shots found the back of the net for the home side through the halftime break, moving the Leopard deficit to 15 at 19-4 with 16:01 to play.
Four of the final five goals came from Lafayette sticks as the Leopards tried to get back in it, but the clock ultimately ran out on a 20-8 final.
Kirby finished with a hat trick to lead the Maroon and White offensively, while Wilhelmsen added two goals and an assist. Hannah Davey, Emma Novick and Wingate rounded out the scoring with one goal each.
Allie Abacherli and Taylor Danson split halves in goal, with Abacherli suffering the loss, her fourth of the season. Each made four saves in their 30:00 of action.
Lafayette drops to 10-6 overall and 5-3 in Patriot League play with the loss. Next up for the Leopards is a return home for the regular-season finale next Saturday, hosting Navy at Fisher Stadium for Senior Day at 1 p.m.
