Cal's Second-Half Surge Sinks Quinnipiac
from press release
HAMDEN, Conn. -- A late second half surge by
California-Berkeley cost the Quinnipiac University women's lacrosse
team a nonconference win Friday afternoon at the Quinnipiac Field
Hockey & Lacrosse Turf Field, falling 11-9. Team captain Katie
Latonick (Severna Park, Md.) had a goal and three assists for four
points, but the Bobcats allowed Cal to dictate play in the second
half, dropping to 1-4 overall this season with the loss. The win
was the second of the year for the Golden Bears (2-4) who began a
four-game east coast road swing with the game.
The contest's early pace would not be indicated by the final score
as both teams combined for just for goals in the first 20 minutes
of play. Latonick assisted on both Quinnipiac goals in that time.
Marissa Caroleo (North Babylon, N.Y.) and Lyndsey Banach (Syracuse,
N.Y.) each scored after getting a feed from the fifth-year player
in the first 20 minutes.
Lauren Matuszczak (East Longmeadow, Mass.) gave the Bobcats a 3-2
lead with 9:40 remaining, but was quickly answered by the Bears'
Allie Welsh with an equalizer. It would be Christine Sinnigen's
(Sudbury, Mass.) free-position goal with 2:37 left in the first
that gave Quinnipiac the 4-3 advantage headed into the break.
Two quick goals by Caroleo and Latonick opened the second half for
the Bobcats, giving them a 6-3 lead. Cal's Tara Arolla again
answered with a goal two and a half minutes later, but Lianne
Toomey (Hicksville, N.Y.) put Quinnipiac up by three, 7-3, just a
minute and a half after Arolla's tally.
The Golden Bears went on a 7-1 run over the course of 18 minutes in
the second. A Matuszczak goal broke up the first three tallies of
the run, before Cal netted three more. Alyse Kennedy and Emily
Abbood each netted a goal in the final five minutes to give their
team the 11-8 lead. Cal held the ball for much of the final 10
minutes and following Chelsea Guerrera's (Wantagh, N.Y.) goal with
1:58 remaining, the Bobcats were left with little time to complete
a comeback of their own, falling, 11-9.
California was called for 39 fouls in the game, while Quinnipiac
was called just 14 times. The Bears committed 25 fouls in the first
half alone, allowing the Bobcats numerous chances with the
free-position opportunity.
Sophomore Noelle Martello (Westbury, N.Y.) was credited with the
loss after allowing 10 goals and making six saves. Lexi DeStefano
(Brookfield, Conn.) came in for the final five minutes to help try
and stop the Bears' offensive pressure further away from the goal.
Allie Shropshire earned the win for Cal, turning aside nine
shots.
Last week's Northeast Conference Player of the Week Devon Gibney
(Hopkinton, Mass.) and Defensive Player of the Week Kaitlyn Kelly
(North Massapequa, N.Y.) each led the Bobcats with three draw
controls, while Caroleo and Martello each had team highs with four
ground balls.
Quinnipiac returns to action on Sunday, Mar. 21, as it plays host
to NEC opponent Central Connecticut. The Bobcats and Blue Devils
are set to meet at noon.
