Richmond Hands LaSalle A-10 Loss
from press release
RICHMOND, Va. - Richmond (6-8, 3-1) dismantled
first-place La Salle (7-5, 3-1) 16-8 Friday afternoon at UR
Stadium. Gabi Wiegand and Julianne Nicola led the Spiders with four
goals apiece.
"It was a great game to celebrate in this fashion at home on senior
day," said head coach Stephy Samaras. "Not only did our two seniors
step up and perform at their highest, but so did their
teammmates."
Richmond never trailed as it posted one of its most impressive wins
on the season. The Spiders started the game on fire, scoring the
first five goals. The first three scores were unassisted tallies,
one from Nicola and two from Mary Flowers.
Wiegand then got on the board with back-to-back goals off a Flowers
assist and a free position.
La Salle came back with three unaswered goals of its own to cut the
deficit to 5-3 with 10 minutes remaining. Richmond scored two more
times to La Salle's two scores to lead 8-5 at the half.
The second half started much like the first, with Richmond scoring
six unanswered goals to jumpstart the last frame. Richmond
capitalized on two costly Explorer yellow cards to score three of
its six goals in this span.
La Salle would respond with a three goal run to cut the lead to
14-8, but Richmond closed out the game strong with two more goals.
Nicola scored from a Kara Moschetti pass, while Wiegand scored the
game's last goal from Danielle Schaevitz.
Senior Erica Marrocco thwarted any other hope La Salle had by
recording huge saves down the stretch, particularly on free
position attempts. Marrocco closed out her stellar Senior Day
performance with a game-best 16 keeps. Marrocco went into today's
game ranked seventh in the nation in saves. Marrocco now moves to
139 keeps on the season.
For the second time in three games, the Spiders have notched a
season-best 10 assists. Flowers led the charge with three dishes,
while Moschetti, Schaevitz and Wiegand added two. Sam Tajirian
chipped in with the other assist.
Eight Spiders scored goals, as Nicola and Wiegand led the charge.
Flowers added a hat trick to the cause.
The Spiders recorded a game-best 19 ground balls.
The win now moves Richmond into first place with both La Salle and
UMass.
