Messiah Falls Prey to Catholic in Overtime
from press releases
WASHINGTON - In a thrilling first round game
of the NCAA Championships, the Catholic University of America
women's lacrosse team defeated the Falcons of Messiah College by a
score of 9-8. With the win, the team improves to 16-3 overall, and
will advance to the Regional Semifinals of the NCAA
Tournament.
Catholic University used a balanced offensive attack combined with
a solid defensive effort to gain the upper hand over the Falcons.
CUA was led by Landmark Player of the Year, Kate Robinson
(Emmitsburg, Md./Catoctin), and Landmark Rookie of the Year, Mary
Swarthout (Rockville, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel), who each
contributed three goals. Robinson also added three assists and five
draw controls in the win.
Laura Haring (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./Mt. Sinai) was also a tremendous
offensive spark for the Cards, contributing two goals, two assists,
and two ground balls. Katie Buonpastore rounded out the scoring
with a game-winning goal in overtime and one assist in the victory.
Caroline Taltavull (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) recorded two
caused turnovers, while goaltender Melissa Brashear (Pittsburgh,
Pa./Oakland Catholic) stopped four shots in goal.
Back-to-back goals by Haring put the Cardinals up two in the
opening minutes of play. Swarthout then converted off a free
position shot to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead at the 16 minute
mark. Messiah then answered with two consecutive goals of their
own, bringing the teams to a 3-2 standstill. Haring connected with
Robinson at the 11 minute mark, but the Falcons wrapped up the
first stanza by outscoring the Cards 4-1, taking a 7-6 lead to end
the period.
The Falcons continued to use their first half offensive
momentum, scoring just two minutes into the second half. Both teams
remained relatively quiet until CUA's Robinson found the back of
the net off a pass from Haring at the 12 minute mark. Robinson then
connected with Swarthout to bring the teams to a 7-7 deadlock.
After Meghan Doolittle scored at the two minute mark, Robinson took
matters into her own hands, recording an unassisted goal with 23
seconds remaining. The teams finished the regulation period at an
8-8 draw.
Buonpastore then connected with Robinson with 16 seconds left in
the first overtime period, sealing the final lead of the game for
CUA. Neither team scored for the remainder of the match, and the
Cardinals ran away with a 9-8 victory.
CUA will now travel to Salisbury University on Saturday, May 9th
for a game against either Christopher Newport or Mary Washington.
