Lock Haven Wins Battle of D2 Unbeatens
from press release
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The No. 3 Lock Haven
University lacrosse team (13-0, 8-0 PSAC West) took down visiting
No. 2 C.W. Post (10-1, 3-0 ECC) 11-10 today in an overtime thriller
between two of the nation’s best teams.
The Lady Eagles were once again led by dynamic duo Allison Berger
(Oreland, Pa./Springfield) and Kayleigh Johnson (Fairport,
N.Y./Fairport) as the two combined for nine of LHU’s 11
goals.
Berger, the recent Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)
Player of the Week, netted a game-high five goals including the
game-tying and game-winning goals for Lock Haven.
Berger also added one assist on the day.
Johnson found the back of the net four times on the afternoon.
Senior Leigh Titus (Towaco, N.J./Montville) netted one goal and won
five draw controls today for LHU.
Lock Haven also got a crucial goal from recent
Women’sLacrosse.com NCAA DII Rookie of the Week Emily Cilla
(Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park).
LHU defender Katie Zichelli (South Orange, N.J./Columbia) turned in
a sensational performance today as she caused seven of the Pioneers
22 turnovers and scooped up five ground balls.
Stepping up big for the Lady Eagles was senior goalkeeper Kira
Nuttall (Baltimore/Loch Raven).
Nuttall rose to the occasion today making 11 key stops to notch her
thirteenth win between the pipes this season.
Fellow senior Krystalle Neighbor (Dunellen, N.J./Rutgers
Preparatory) was a force on defense making several huge stops and
coming away with three ground balls.
Lock Haven and C.W. Post proved why they are two of the
nation’s top teams as they were nearly deadlocked in every
major statistical category.
Despite C.W. Post jumping out to an early 1-0 lead, the Lady Eagles
held a 6-2 advantage at the half.
Lock Haven came out strong in the second half and led 9-4 with nine
minutes remaining.
C.W. Post clawed their way back and went on a 6-0 run to take the
lead with 1:29 remaining in regulation.
Lock Haven’s Clare Gaeng (Frederick, Md./Governor Thomas
Jefferson) gained possession off the draw and Elyse Fisher
(Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) set-up Berger’s game-tying
goal with 1:01 left on the clock to force overtime.
Berger scored again in the first overtime period just as the buzzer
sounded to give LHU the 11-10 lead.
The Lady Eagles held onto the lead and went on to secure the win in
the second overtime period.
Prior to the start of today’s matchup the trio of Lady Eagle
seniors was honored. Titus, Nuttall and Neighbor have each enjoyed
sensational four-year careers here at Lock Haven and have truly
left their mark on LHU lacrosse.
It was only fitting that the Lady Eagles were victorious today and
each senior played an instrumental role in the win.
Today’s game marked only the second meeting between these two
talented teams.
The Lady Eagles were able to avenge their 18-13 loss against C.W.
Post last season.
