UMass Shuts Down La Salle in A-10 Clash
from press release
PHILADELPHIA -- A balanced scoring effort along
with a defensive effort that held the Explorers scoreless for the
final 45 minutes of play provided the No. 20 UMass women's lacrosse
team a 17-4 win on Sunday afternoon at McCarthy Stadium. Katie
Ferris led all players with six points (4g, 2a). After trading
goals early, UMass clamped down holding La Salle scoreless for the
final 15:14 of the first half while pitching a second half
shutout.
UMass improves to 9-2 overall and 2-0 in the Atlantic 10, while La
Salle falls to 4-7 overall and 0-2 in league play. The Minutewomen
will host Duquesne next Friday at McGuirk Stadium (1 PM) before
heading to St. Bonaventure on Sunday (Noon).
Along with Ferris, eight other Minutewomen recorded goals in the
game. Jesse O'Donnell notched three goals (1 assist), while Jackie
Lyons had two goals and an assist. Nina Sarcona and Haley Smith
each scored twice, while Cori Murray, Tanner Guarino, Dayna
Defliese and Sam Rush all chipped in goals.
La Salle was led by Nora McGurkin who had a goal and an assist,
while Mela Sarcinello, Samantha Tulskie and Allison Herman all
recorded goals as well.
The Minutewomen took a 2-0 lead six minutes into the game on goals
by Sarcona and Ferris. Smith's first goal of the game gave UMass a
3-1 lead at the 18:12 mark of the first half.
The Explorers scored three straight to take a 4-3 lead with 15:15
left in the first half with the run capped by Herman's goal. That
proved the final time in the game La Salle scored.
Lyons tied the game at 4-4 a minute after Herman's go-ahead goal
and the Minutewomen never looked back taking a 7-4 lead into
halftime.
Ten minutes into the second half saw UMass extend the lead to
14-4.
UMass outshot La Salle 35-to-12 for the game bolstered by a
15-to-2 second half performance. The Minutewomen also received help
from 21 Explorer turnovers while committing just eight. UMass also
won the groundball battle 17-to-10.
Katie Florence earned her 9th win of the season making three saves
in 56 minutes of work. Chelsea Corell made one save in the final
four minutes of play.
Megan Corliss made nine saves while allowing all 17 goals in cage
for La Salle before being lifted by Maura Malone for the final 2:27
of the game.
