Pfeiffer Upends No. 10 Belmont Abbey
from staff reports
MISENHEIMER, N.C. - The Pfeiffer women's lacrosse team handed No.
10 Belmont Abbey their first loss of the season on Saturday
afternoon at NE Lefko Field. Pfeiffer held the Abbey
scoreless for the final 2:43 to take the game 7-6. The
Falcons improve their mark on the season to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in
the conference, while the Abbey falls to 2-1 overall and 2-1 in
conference play.
Pfeiffer midfielder Heidi Karaskiewicz (Glen Burnie, MD) started
off the day's scoring with an unassisted drive to the net 2:06 into
the game. The Abbey responded with four goals over the next
eight minutes. Abbey midfielder Shannon Farden (Oswego, NY)
tallied the first two goals and was followed by attack Samantha
Hooker (Salisbury, MD) who netted the second two. Brianna
Dignan (Nashua, NH) recorded both assists on Hooker's goals.
Alex Cook (Commack, NY) brought Pfeiffer back into the game with
13:53 left in the period. She drove to the net and put the
ball past Abbey goalkeeper Kate Gavin (Pasadena, MD). The
Falcons continued their offensive efforts and in the final two
minutes of the period tied the game at 4-4 off of goals from attack
Krissy Bentolila (Potomac, MD) and midfielder Jamie Livingston
(Harrisburg, NC). Bentolila's goal was off a free position
attempt due to an Abbey foul.
Bentolila opened the final period by getting on the board for
Pfeiffer 3:24 into play. Attack Sarah Hebberd (Golden, CO)
put the Falcons up by two with a goal four minutes later. The
Abbey responded with their first goal of the second half with 19:38
left in the period. Laurie Jordan (Davidsonville, MD) zipped a shot
past Pfeiffer goalkeeper Caitlin Ryan (Perth, Australia) from about
eight yards out.
With just under 13 minutes left in the game, Cook found the back of
the net off of a free position shot to put the Falcons up by two
again. Cook's goal would end up being the game-winner.
Farden put her third goal of the game in net with 2:43 left in the
game and brought the Crusaders within one goal. The Falcons
fought to gain control of play until the final horn sounded.
Despite Abbey attempts to cause turnovers, Pfeiffer maintained
control to run the clock down and end the day victorious by a
margin of one goal.
Pfeiffer was led by Bentolila and Cook who each tallied two
goals. Kelly McConnell (Woodbridge, MD) grabbed four ground
balls for the Falcons, while Amanda Smith (Leesburg, VA) caused
four turnovers. Ryan earned the win with nine saves on the day.
The Crusaders were led by Farden and Hooker with three goals and
two goals, respectively. Theresa Nolan (Crofton, MD) marked three
caused turnovers for the Abbey.
