Denkler's Late Heroics Lift Vandy over Hopkins
from press release
BALTIMORE -- Three hat-tricks and 10 saves
helped the 13th-ranked Vanderbilt women's lacrosse team defeat
American Lacrosse Conference rival Johns Hopkins, 14-13, Sunday at
Homewood Field.
Seniors Katherine Denkler and Emily Franke and junior Courtney Kirk
each scored three goals for the Commodores. Kirk also dished out
two assists for a game-high five points.
The game was tied for the fourth time with 12 minutes to play
before Denkler notched back-to-back goals to give the Commodores a
14-12 lead. Hopkins would score once but failed to draw even,
thanks in part to a pair of key caused turnovers by sophomore
defender Paige Cahill.
"Clearly, you only had to be here to see how intense this rivalry
is," VU Head Coach Cathy Swezey said. "Coming off a loss, it took a
lot of character and intensity from our team to fight this hard for
the win. We're pleased that our girls came out the way they
did."
The crowd at Homewood Field included a large Vanderbilt contingent,
with many of the Commodores hailing from the Maryland area.
Sophomore goalkeeper Chelsea Pasfield made 10 saves on the day,
including seven in the second half.
"She's just stepping up to the plate," Swezey said. "She's prepared
to do what she has to to help our team."
Vanderbilt will head back on the road next weekend to continue the
ALC regular season at Ohio State. The Commodores then close their
regular season with a pair of home games against Florida and Notre
Dame before playing host to the conference tournament, May 5-7.
