Surging Georgetown Gives Loyola First Loss
from press release
|
|
Midfielder Sophia Thomas was one of five Georgetown players with two goals Tuesday, as the No. 16 Hoyas defeated No. 6 Loyola 15-13. |
BALTIMORE - The No. 16 Georgetown University
women's lacrosse squad clinched a berth in the BIG EAST Tournament
and remained perfect in conference play with a 15-13 victory over
the No. 6 Loyola University (Md.) Greyhounds Tuesday evening at the
Ridley Athletic Complex. The Hoyas handed the Greyhounds their
first loss of the season as the squad dropped to 12-1 and 4-1 in
conference play, while Georgetown improved to 8-5 overall with a
mark of 6-0 in the BIG EAST.
"Today was a team win against a very talented Loyola squad," said
Georgetown Head Coach Ricky Fried. "This was a crucial BIG EAST
game against a good team and we were fortunate to get the victory.
I was proud of the way we played today."
Possession worked in Georgetown's favor as the Blue & Gray was
on offense for much of the game. Draw controls made the difference
as GU held a 16-14 advantage and also forced 14 turnovers in the
ride.
"Possession was important today, and so was our scrappiness," said
Fried. "We were very scrappy which gave us a number of second
chances and the ability to hold onto possession."
Loyola jumped out with a 3-1 run to open the second half taking
the 11-10 lead at 24:16. Georgetown senior Jordy Kirr (Baltimore,
Md./Bryn Mawr School) connected with sophomore Kelsi Bozel (Hunt
Valley, Md./Notre Dame Prep) for GU's first assist of the game.
The Hoyas put together a three-goal run spanning almost 13 minutes
to go ahead by two goals, 13-11. Freshman Hannah Franklin (Phoenix,
Md./McDonogh School) started it off with a free position goal,
while Bozel and senior Jacqueline Giles (Ellicott City, Md./Mount
Hebron) added two more.
In the final 11 minutes, both squads notched a pair of scores and
the Hoyas were able to hang on for the 15-13 victory.
Loyola scored to open the game, but senior defender Logan McCraw
(Malvern, Pa./Conestoga) countered less than two minutes later. The
Greyhounds took a two-goal lead, and the Hoyas answered with a 4-0
run including scores by freshman Kelyn Freedman (Newtown Square,
Pa./Radnor) as well as seniors Kathleen Dwyer (Winnetka,
Ill./Loyola), Mary Beth Brophy (Berwyn, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) and
Kirr.
For the final ten minutes of the first half, the squads traded
goals as neither could mount a significant lead. Sophomore attacker
Dina Jackson (Potomac, Md./Bullis) hit a free position at 8:14 and
classmate Sophia Thomas (Lutherville, Md./Maryvale Prep) added a
pair of goals in the closing minutes. Freedman also had her second
of the contest as the Hoyas went into the locker room ahead,
9-8.
Georgetown had 10 different players score a goal with five Hoyas
tallying two scores. The Blue & Gray held a 32-22 advantage in
shots and was 3-of-7 on draw controls.
The victory marked the first win over a top-ten opponent since
last year when Georgetown downed No. 9 Syracuse at the Carrier
Dome, 10-9 to clinch the BIG EAST Regular Season Title.
The Hoyas will continue on the road with a trip to the University
of Notre Dame on Saturday.
