Binghamton Nets School-Record 20 in Victory
from press release
VESTAL, N.Y. -- The Binghamton University
women's lacrosse program ended its five-game losing streak dating
back to last season by routing Niagara University 20-8 in a
non-conference game from the Bearcats Sports Complex, Friday
evening. BU tied a program-best 20 goals with an impressive
offensive outburst that included the first seven goals of the
game.
"We wanted to come out and play 60 minutes today," head coach Tony
Zostant said. "We played really well on both ends of the field and
continued to work throughout the game. I thought we possessed the
ball well and executed on offense the way we should. We finished
our cuts had some really nice assists."
Binghamton, fueled by two straight disappointing losses, came out
of the gates firing, scoring just 25 seconds into the game with a
goal from senior Ali Castiglie. Castiglie received a pass from
junior Lis Zuern and scorched a shot from the left side to begin
the scoring barrage. Zuern netted the next two goals for the
Bearcats to make the score 3-0 after just two minutes of play.
Binghamton continued to pour it on, with goals from senior Beth
Moore and sophomore Kimberly McGeever sandwiching two more
Castiglie scores.
As BU began to run away with the game, opening on a 7-0 run,
Niagara found its defense, holding the Bearcats without a goal for
over nine minutes. The Purple Eagles ended senior Lauren Scott's
bid for a shutout with about four minutes remaining in the half
with a goal from Lisa Chute. With the score 7-1, Niagara would
score two of the last three goals of the half and go into the
locker room trailing 8-3.
The second half witnessed much of the same as BU continued to
pepper Niagara goalie Patricia McTiernan with shots. Binghamton
held a definitive edge in shots, outshooting the Purple Eagles
38-23. One of those shots was from the stick of McGeever, who
scored just 36 seconds into the half. Two more goals from senior
Lizzie Wright and sophomore Katherine Hunsberger allowed the
Bearcats to extend its lead to eight, 11-3.
From there, Niagara attempted to claw back into the game scoring
four of the next five goals, making the score 12-7. Binghamton did
not take their foot off the gas however, ending the game on a
six-to-none run, including eight of the last nine goals.
Ten different Bearcats found the back of the net on the day,
including multi-goal games from Castiglie, Zuern, McGeever, Moore,
Wright and Kristen Stone. Zuern led all Bearcat point-scorers with
a total of six (3 goals, 3 assists.) Hunsberger dished out a
career-high three assists for BU.
Senior Amanda Hughes and junior-transfer Brittany Stufano netted
the first goals of their Bearcat careers.
Scott recorded ten saves on the day, nine coming in the first half,
as the Bearcat defense outhustled Niagara to the tune of a 21-12
ground ball advantage.
The Bearcats continue its homestand next Tuesday, Mar. 9 as they
welcome the Canisius Golden Griffins to the Bearcats Sports
Complex. Binghamton dropped a 13-11 heartbreaker in Buffalo last
year and are 1-6 all-time versus Canisius. Opening face-off is set
for 4 p.m.
NOTES: Ali Castiglie was named America East Player of the
Game...Binghamton is now 4-4 against Niagara all-time...Beth Moore
scored her 81st and 82nd goals of her career, she is now just seven
goals away from the BU all-time record...Zuern and Kristen Stone
were each awarded a yellow card.
