High Point Tough, But Navy Moves to 5-0
from press release
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Freshman Aimee Gennaro
(Havertown, Pa.) scored four goals and the Navy womens lacrosse
team (5-0) defeated High Point (1-2), 11-8, on Sunday afternoon at
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Leading 4-3 late in the first half, the Mids scored back-to-back
goals in the final 1:14 in the first half and then scored the first
three goals in the second half to push their lead to 9-3. Navy then
extended its lead to 11-5 with 10 minutes to go before High Point
scored the game's final three goals.
"It was really a hard fought match today and High Point really
pushed us," head coach Cindy Timchal said. "I thought we played
really tough though and it was nice to get the victory and get off
to a 5-0 start."
Sophomore midfielder Claire Olechowski (Annapolis, Md.) had a
superb all-around game, racking up career-highs of five ground
balls, and five caused turnovers.
"I was really pleased with Claire's play," said Timchal "Her ground
balls and caused turnovers were a key for us today."
Olechowski also scored a goal with three seconds remaining in the
first half to give the Mids a 6-3 lead at the break. She also had
one draw control.
"The defense really came together today," Olechowski said. "We were
getting the ball out and had fast clears and we were able to get a
lot of caused turnovers all over the field - in the defensive zone
and in the midfield."
Navy was 17-20 on clears and caused 10 turnovers. Navy also held a
24-20 advantage on ground balls.
Gennaro opened the game's scoring on a free-position shot at 25:03
and after High Point answered 33 seconds later, Gennaro scored her
second of the game. Freshman Molly Hamilton (New Albany, Ohio) then
added her ninth of the season at 19:57 to put Navy up, 3-1.
The Panthers added another goal before sophomore Kathy Young
(Berwyn, Pa.) converted on a free position shot. Six minutes later,
High Point added its third goal to cut the lead to 4-3.
Looking to change the momentum of the game before halftime, Gennaro
broke towards goal for her third tally of the game and then with
the clock under ten seconds, Gennaro found a cutting Olechowski to
push Navy's lead to 6-3.
Sophomore Jasmine DePompeo (Sayville, N.Y.) got on the board seven
minutes into the second half, scoring a tough goal as she was
falling to the ground after receiving a nice pass from senior
Caitlin Mandrin Hill (Annapolis, Md.). Senior Katrina Nietsch (New
Canaan, Conn.) then connected on Navy's third free position goal of
the game before Gennaro added her fourth tally to push the lead to
9-3. Mandrin Hill and Young scored Navy's last two goals of the
game.
Gennaro scored four goals for the third time this season and her 17
goals on the season is a team-high. Mandrin Hill had one goal, two
assists and three draw controls.
Young finished with two goals, one assist and two ground balls and
DePompeo had one goal, one assist and two caused turnovers.
Nietsch added five ground balls and a caused turnover and her
second-half goal marked the 14th straight game she has scored.
Junior Elaina Ponchione (Silver Spring, Md.) improved to 5-0 on the
season in goal, making seven saves.
Navy will next host No. 2 Northwestern on Thursday night at 7
pm.
"We've played four games in nine days, so now we are going to get
ready and regroup," Timchal said. "Northwestern is one of the
finest teams in the country and it is a great opportunity for Navy
women's lacrosse to show where we are at this point in the
season."
Notes:
*This was the fifth game in a six-game season opening homestand for
Navy. The Mids are now 35-4 (.897) all-time at home and have won 11
straight home games.
*Although Gennaro took over the team lead in goals this season,
DePompeo still leads the team in total points with 25 (16 g, 9 a).
Gennaro has 24 points on 17 goals and nine assists.
