“I’m really proud of our team as we talked all year about playing a complete game, our best game of the season,” said Brower-Corbett.  “On attack we moved well and created problems for Cornell’s defense, creating opportunities and finishing.  The defense was stellar.  Once Cornell got through the defense Lucy (Lucy Ferguson the goal keeper) was there.  I was pleased with my team in transition.  They wanted it and fought hard.  I can’t be more proud of them.”

Meredith Cain -Penn Midfielder

Both teams were playing well on the defensive end, especially in goal where Penn sophomore goal keeper Lucy Ferguson and Courtney Gallagher of Cornell kept the game close turning away numerous scoring opportunities.  The Big Red scored the first goal unassisted by attack Caroline Salisbury.  The Red and Blue got the next three goals by senior midfielder Meredith Cain, the first of her three goals in the contest, junior midfielder Tory Bensen, and junior attack Courtney Tomchik.  Cornell attack Rachel Moody got one past Ferguson cutting the Penn lead to 3 – 2 at the 10:29 mark.

Cain scored her second of the game with 9:24 remaining in the first half.  That started a run of three Quaker goals in just over two minutes to take a 6 – 2 lead.  Cain converted a pass from senior attack Caroline Bunting at 8:51, then junior midfielder Shannon Mangini scored on a free position shot at 7:21.  It was the first of three goals for Mangini, and provided the halftime edge for Penn.  The spurt provided the Red and Blue with the separation needed in the semifinal match.

“I think we were creating opportunities and not finishing, and we were telling them that good opportunities would come,” Brower-Corbett said.  “Then we were finishing to get that little bit of a lead.”

In the second half Cornell got the first goal, again by Salisbury.  As in the first half Penn answered with three goals in seven minutes to take control of the game.  Bunting, Mangini, and senior midfielder Maddie Poplawski got the goals to put Penn ahead 9 – 3.  Cornell came back from a seven goal deficit against Penn to force an overtime game during the season.  That would not be the case in the tournament meeting.

The Quakers turned the game over to the defense.  The trapping defense kept the Big Red off balance offensively.  Cornell got goals from Rachel Moody and Kelly Lang, but never seriously threatened.  Ferguson made 12 saves, 6 in each half.  The sophomore credited the defense as the main reason for her performance.

“They played amazing,” said Ferguson.  “Everyone did a great job on their matchup.  We were trapping their shooters, so when they got shots off they were ones I could see and save.”

Penn will get another title game match with Dartmouth on Sunday.  It will be the third time in the tournament four years of existence that the Red and Blue and Big Green will meet for the championship.  Dartmouth won last year 6 – 3.  Penn looks to win the game and the title for a trip to the NCAA Tournament, which would allow the senior class to go out with the trophy they won three years ago.

“It would definitely be icing on the cake,” Cain said.  “We haven’t been able to take home the tournament title since my freshman year, so being a senior it would be a great thing to hold on to.”

“There is a lot riding on this game (against Dartmouth),” said Brower-Corbett.  “We want to win the tournament and the automatic bid.  We are a bubble team, and so there is even more riding on this game.”

Dartmouth, the third seed, earned their trip defeating #2 Princeton 11 – 10 on a goal by Hanna Bowers in the second overtime period.  Penn defeated Dartmouth 8 – 7 in the regular season meeting.

“It will be a battle and we will have to bring our best,” Brower-Corbett said about the upcoming game.  “Our team has shown they will fight for sixty minutes.  Whether we are behind or ahead, we will fight.  It is going to be a great game, no question.”

Boxscore

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

Twitter: @Phillycolsports

Local News and Notes:
Cornell senior Kate Ivory played her final collegiate game in Philadelphia.  The native of Narberth, PA and Episcopal Academy graduate looked back at her last homecoming game as the signature of accomplishment rather than a disappointment in losing.

“In my four-year run we’ve been down to Philly a few times, and we haven’t been able to  get the outcome we wanted,” said Ivory.  “To be here is a great opportunity.  To be in the final four, the top four teams in the league is awesome.  Having been able to come to this tournament three of my four years is such an experience.  I’ve been on great teams with great players.  It’s disappointing, but I’m so happy to be here.”

The team consisted of Freshman Kelsey Margey, freshman Angel Piccirillo, junior Nicky Akande, and junior Emily Lipari.  The victory for Villanova was characterized by Coach Gina Procaccio as a total team victory.

“It was all four of them,” said Procaccio.  “It was such a team effort.  We had two freshman on the first two legs.  They know what the Penn Relays is about.  I told Kelsey to get us the lead, stay calm and just explode the last 400 meters.   Angel, I knew she could run with anybody.  She wasn’t going to let anybody go by.  Nicky is so super solid.  She ran the 800 in the DMR, so I knew she would be solid.  She gave the baton to Emily to see if she could get it done.  It’s so amazing and so exciting.  A collegiate record, I never would expected that.”

This team pulled together after running three tough races during the three-day event.  Villanova won the Distance Medley Relay, finished third in the 4 x 1500, and capped the weekend winning the Championship Wheel since 1997.  That year the Blue and White won four events, all in which they participated in this year and the 4 x 400.  For Villanova it is a matter of coming to the Penn Relays and competing in the races.

“Running for three straight days is what we’ve always done,” said Procaccio.  “It’s Villanova, it’s what you do.  If you are one of the top girls on the Villanova team at the Penn Relays, you are going to run in all three relays.  You get to that last day and you have to run on emotion and you have to run on heart.  You may have tired legs, but if you put that aside, you can do it.  You do it for your teammates and you do it for the program and the tradition.  You come to Villanova to be a part of it.  I’m proud of all four of them, they did it and stepped it up.”

The race started with freshman Kelsey Margey setting the tone leading after the first leg with a split of 2:07.04.  She passed the baton to fellow freshman Angel Piccirillo who kept the lead despite being challenged by LSU and Oregon.  Piccirillo ran her leg in a time of 2:04.12, then passed the baton to junior Nicky Akande in front of the pack.  The freshman set it up for the upperclassmen to finish in front.

Akande fended off an effort by Anne Kesselring of Oregon to keep Villanova in front.  Akande turned in a time of 2:04.04 while Kesselring ran the distance in 2:02.74.

“We have two freshman that literally gave everything for us, and [Emily and I] couldn’t help but do the same,” said Akande.  “I saw them hurting, and I saw them hurting two. I knew that if we all ran our best, we could do it.”

Lipari took the baton for the last 800 meters with the lead.  During the first lap Roesler took the lead on Lipari.  At the bell lap the race was undecided as Oregon, Villanova, and LSU took off for the final lap.  Roesler put some distance between herself and Lipari as LSU dropped out of contention.  Lipari made her last charge around the final turn, kept chopping the lead, and caught Roesler just before the finish line giving Villanova two Penn Relays championships in the meet.

“I saw the green and yellow before me,” said Lipari.  “I saw the pain on their faces.  My teammates were cheering for me at different points in the race saying ‘come on Emily, you can do it.’ It was a group effort and we’re going to enjoy it for a little bit.”

The team gets ready for the Big East Championships before moving on to the NCAA Championships.  Villanova won a race their coach enjoys the most.  And they will return next season to Franklin Field.

Results

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

Twitter: @Phillycolsports

“You just keep coming back,” said Villanova Coach Marcus O’Sullivan.  “We’ve got the same team coming back next year and the year after.  You keep trying, and something good will happen.”

Sam McEntee – Villanova Anchor

The race was run in a pack throughout as none of the teams could break away.  The pace caused each team to run a tactical race.  Villanova was forced to the inside and ran from that position.  It would come down to a sprint over the last 250 meters.  Villanova junior anchor runner Sam McEntee seemed to be pinned on the inside, but found an opening and sprinted into contention.  McEntee made his move, but Mac Fleet of Oregon and Andrew Bayer of Indiana also were coming down to the final sprint.  Fleet crossed the line first running a 4:03.2 split.  Bayer also posted a 4:03.2 time.  McEntee ran a 4:03.8.

“I got put in there (the inside) and put me in a pocket and couldn’t get out,” McEntee explained.  I was fighting to get out and knew I should have been more proactive than reactive.”

“I got to the outside, but Mac (Fleet) went first which was the right thing to do.”

“I knew it was going to come down to a sprint finish and Mac (McEntee) covered it well,” O’Sullivan said.  “I knew what we were dealing with (other anchor runners Fleet and Bayer).”

The early runners tried to give their teams an advantage, but  no one could break away.  Alex Tully led off for Villanova posting a 4:11.14 time.  The Wildcats were third when freshman Jordan Williamsz took the baton and got into the lead during his trip.  Williamsz ran the fastest split of any competitor with a time of 3:58.7.  While he did take a lead the pack stayed with him.  Oregon second runner Matt Miner ran his split in 3:59.9.  These two runners were the only ones of the top three finishers to run the distance in under 4 minutes.

“I got to the front and thought I could put a little ground between them, but they were able to hang with me,” said Williamsz.  “We all ran what we were supposed to, but everyone else ran better than we expected.  That’s the wrong way to go about it.  You have to expect them (the other teams) to be on top of their game.”

Sophomore Rob Denault ran the third leg for the Blue and White in 4:04.6.

While Villanova experienced the disappointment in not winning the race, they are in the lane back to winning championships.

“You keep coming back and hope that is fosters in them the ambition to dig a little deeper next year in terms of mental preparation,” said O’Sullivan.  It’s not something you switch around in one week, it’s all year.  You leave them thinking next year we’ll be ready.  If not, you go back to the drawing board and get ready again.  We are under a lot of pressure, they feel it.   They know the history behind them and feel obligated to repeat it.”

Results

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

Twitter: @Phillycolsports.com

The University of Pennsylvania – 2013 Ivy League Champions

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 4/26/2013 – The University of Pennsylvania Women’s Lacrosse team won the Ivy League Championship outright with the perfect 7 – 0 record in conference.  The title is the seventh straight the Red and Blue has won which represents the longest championship streak in the NCAA.  The story is a tribute to the program and the present senior class.

The title may not have been expected as Penn got off to a slow start.  The program lost significant seniors in Erin Brennan and Emily Leitner due to graduation.  The Red and Blue recorded a 2 – 4 out of conference record, but Seniors Caroline Bunting, Maddie Poplawski, Meredith Cain, and Kelly McCallion in addition to the outstanding goal keeping by sophomore Lucy Ferguson got the team going in the right direction.  That culminated with a 10 – 7 win over Brown in overtime to clinch the crown for Penn.  Poplawski scored the key goal to tie it regulation and the winning goal in the extra period.

“The Seniors have won three Championships, but to win in your Senior year is extremely special because it is a culmination of four years of hard work and as a Senior it is your team,” said Penn Coach Karin Brower-Corbett.

The season came down to the last three games as Penn met their top rivals on Dartmouth and Princeton who came into the final three games unbeaten in the Ivy League.  Brown was in contention for the final playoff spot at that time.

The Quakers won all three games.  The game against Dartmouth was a one-goal game with Penn taking an 8 – 7 decision.  Bunting led all scorers with 3 goals.  Poplawski added 2 goals.  Dartmouth had the ball in attack [position at the end, but time ran out before they could get a final shot.  Dartmouth defeated Penn in the Ivy League tournament and in the regular season last year.  The win was a significant step forward for this team.

Arch-rival and 17^th ranked Princeton was next at Franklin Field.  The Tigers controlled play early taking a 2 – 0 lead.  Penn bounced back.  With 12:36 to play Princeton held a 9 – 7 lead.  The seventh goal was the last one they would score.  Bunting and junior midfield Shannon Mangini scored to tie the game.  Mangini tallied the tying goal with just 5:19 to play in regulation.  She would net the winning goal with 2:16 left in the overtime period.  The 10 – 9 win gave the Red and Blue a share of the Ivy Title.

The title clinching game also went overtime as Poplawski got the key goals to beat Brown.  In doing so the Penn team showed a great sense of resilience.

“Each game was a bit different – but it really shows the heart and fight of this team,” said Brower-Corbett. “It is never over until that final whistle and it shows how much they believe in each other.”

The Quakers will host the Ivy League Tournament.  They come into this tournament with momentum.

“We have the confidence to know we can come from behind and that we can beat anyone on any given day, but we also know that we can play better and want more consistency for 60 minutes,” Brower-Corbett said.

Before those games the Red and Blue will take a trip to Chicago to meet perennial powerhouse Northwestern.  Brower-Corbett feels this game will help her team prepare for the Ivy League tournament games, and potentially the NCAA Tournament games.

“Playing one of the best teams in the country always helps you prepare because you have to play at a different level,” said Brower-Corbett. “No one in the country plays like Northwestern so the preparation is different. They are very aggressive and play a high pressure defense and I always believe we learn a lot playing them each year.”

The Red and Blue go into the final games ranked #16 in the nation.  Penn has hosted the tournament before.  The Quakers have been the top seed each of the three years this tournament has been held.  Now, Penn needs to win it to get into the NCAA’s.  They are in it to win it.

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

Twitter: @Phillycolsports

Villanova Coach Marcus O’Sullivan

“I am happy for them in terms of time,” said O’Sullivan.  “I am disappointed for them in terms of not winning.  It is important for us to come here and win.  We’re in a good state, we’re competitive, we’re mixing it up.  There were three great teams out there.”  junior Sam McEntee.

“It hurts to come in second, but it was a strong performance,” said Sam McEntee the junior 1200 meter runner for Villanova.

The 1200 leg of the race gave an indication of how the DMR would play out.  Penn Sate, Oregon, and Villanova were going to trade the lead.  McEntee led off for the Wildcats and was third at the first handoff.  Brannon Kidder gave Penn State the lead with a 2:35.5 split.  McEntee ran a 2:53.0 leg trailing Mac Fleet of Oregon by three-tenths of a second.  Junior Sam Ellison ran the 400 meter leg in 46 seconds good for second place, but still trailed Oregon as Mike Berry turned in a time of 45.3.  The 800 meter leg saw Oregon and Penn State getting some separation from Villanova.  Casimir Loxsom ran a 1:46.7, but did not catch Oregon as Elijah Greer ran a 1:47.6 split.  Junior Chris Fitzsimmons turned in a 1:49.9 effort, but Villanova was still in striking distance as freshman Jordy Williamsz took the baton for the final 1600.

Williamsz was gaining on Penn State and Oregon after the first lap.  The race bunched again after the second lap with Penn State taking the lead.  Indiana joined the group going into the bell lap.  In the final 200 meters Penn State behind Robby Creese.  Williamsz passed Jeremy Elkaim and took aim on Creese, but could not overtake the winner.  Williamsz ran a 3:58.4 split, the fastest of the 1600 meter runners.  Creese turned in a time of 3:58.9 with Elkaim running a 4:01.5 split.  Indiana finished fourth.

“He’s a seasoned freshman,” O’Sullivan said of Williamsz.  “He’s got great wheels.”

The Wildcats will compete in the 4×1500 and the 4×800 championship races on Saturday.

It was a good effort for Villanova.  O’Sullivan was pleased.  The runners know that the Penn Relays are a significant event, and their best effort is an example that is followed.

“I want to come back here and win.” said McEntee.  “I never won here before.”

“When you walk down the locker room every day you see 20 or 30 wheels (championship medallions).  Marcus makes note of it.  It is a rich history.  I was walking back today, and one of the smaller schools were getting ready.  They were getting ancy and the coach said ‘there is Villanova, follow them, they know what they’re doing.’ People know we are here.”

Results

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

Twitter: @Phillycolsports

Emily Lipari

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 4/26/2013 – The Villanova Women’s Track team having won the Distance Medley Relay on Thursday went for the sweep of the distance relay races, but finished third behind rivals Michigan and Oregon with a time of 17:17.57.  Neither the Michigan Wolverines or the Oregon Ducks completed in the Thursday event.  That did not concern the Villanova who will compete in three championship races.  The team who just wanted to run and to win.

“When you’re part of the team in which Villanova has so much history, that is what you expect,” said Lipari.  “You have to do many different things, and be prepared for what ever is thrown at you.  I want to be part of this team.  If it means running in three or four races I will with my head high.”"That race (DMR) was 24 hours ago, now this is our focus.  We’re a tough bunch of girls and so is Michigan and Oregon.”

The race was close throughout as Michigan, Oregon, and Villanova all remained in contention.  The winning time for Michigan was the 6th fastest time recorded in this event.  Oregon finished second with a time of 17:16.50 which was the 8th fastest time.  Villanova turned in a time of 17:17.57, the 9th fastest time.  Freshman Stephanie Shappert, who did not compete in the DMR, ran the first leg for the Wildcats, and gave the team the lead after her split of 4:22.6.  Shappert handed the baton to Junior Nicky Akande who kept the lead in a shoulder to shoulder race against Jillian Smith of Michigan and Annie Leblanc of Oregon.  Akande ran a strong leg in 4:18.0 using her experience in staying ahead of the pack.

“It requires a lot of focus when you are in a pack like that,” Akande said.  “You have to keep telling yourself this is for the team and I have to stay with them.  You stay as focused as you can.”

Freshman Angel Piccirillo ran the third leg for the Wildcats recording a time of 4:19.1.  Piccirillo stayed close tp the front despite getting passed by the Wolverines Rebecca Addison and Anne Kesselring of the Ducks.  Michigan and Oregon traded the lead with Villanova falling slightly behind the leaders.  The anchor runners would decide the race.

Junior Emily Lipari took the baton for Villanova chasing down Michigan anchor runner Amanda Eccleston and Becca Friday for Oregon.  The runners kept their positions of Michigan, Oregon and Villanova for the first three laps.  Lipari closed at the bell lap.  She stayed in contact, but could not catch the leaders in the last 200 meters.

“My only goal was to catch up to them and worry about the finish later,” Lipari said.  “At 250 (meters let to run) I just couldn’t give anymore.  It is frustrating and I will replay that race in my head, but I will take from this race and apply it tomorrow.”

Lipari ran a 4:17.5 in her leg of the race which was the fastest of all anchor runners.  Eccleston ran the distance in 4:19.6, and Friday turned in a time of 4:20.3.

The next race for the team is the 4 x 800 race on Saturday.

The Wildcats fielded a young team of two freshman and two juniors.  The upperclassmen have built on their experience while the first year runners are learning what the Penn Relays mean to the program.  Shappert enjoyed her first Penn Relays as a Villanova freshman, and will build upon what she has learned, especially the thrill of hearing the Villanova rooting section in the south stands.

“It’s amazing,” said Shappert.  “I came around that turn and heard the ‘Nova’ chant going, it lights a fire under you.  It’s over (this race).  We will come out and run as many races as we can.”

Results

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

Twitter: @Phillycolsports

“It’s always a thrill and there is always pressure and an expectation for us to win at Penn,” said Procaccio.  “It means so much to Villanova.  This is the relay that means the most.  It’s the most prestigious, and anytime that you can put four different legs together and come out on top you’ll be thrilled.  I’m thrilled we were able to keep the tradition alive and keep it going at the Penn Relays.”

Emily Lipari Crossing the Finish Line

To add to the special meaning of winning the title the team of Angel Piccirillo, Michela Wilkins, Nicky  Akande, and Emily Lipari won the event in which the team finished second in the NCAA Indoor Championships.  Originally, the NCAA title holder Michigan was to be in the race against Villanova, but opted to compete in other distance relay events at the Penn Relays.  The Wildcats got their Penn Relay Championship watches presented to them by former Villanova great runners Vicky Huber and Michelle Bennett and Coach Marty Stern.”We were so fired up by that second place finish,” said Lipari.  “We wanted to get out there and show that Villanova wasn’t done.  We were the same team that was going to come out and do it on our home turf.”

The race started with freshman Piccirillo running 3:21.8 split in the 1200 meter leg of the race.  Piccirillo was a Penn Relay winner as a high school runner.  Now, she adds a team title to her Penn Relays experience.  Villanova was either first or second in that leg of the race.  Piccirillo was in the lead over Chelsea Oswald of Kentucky (3:22.0) when she passed the baton to  fellow freshman Wilkins in the 400 meter leg of the medley.  Wilkins, who turned in a time of 54.6, was passed at the start by Morganne Phillips of Kentucky who held the lead around the track turning in a time of 53.3.  Junior Nicky Akande ran the 800 meter leg and took the lead back after 400 meters and lengthened it on the second trip around the track with a split of 2:04.7.  Lipari, the junior anchor runner, finished the race with a time of 4:37.7 in the 1600 meter sector leading the pack by as many as 25 meters cruising to the finish line.  Lipari and Akande competed in the race last year in a very close race that Lipari ran the opening leg.  The team will come back next season and hopes to continue the winning ways for Villanova.

“We wanted to come and do it for Villanova, and we’re a super-young team,” Lipari said.  “We;re old school Villanova, we’re just looking ahead.  This is part of the past and it fuels our fire.”

Kentucky finished second, Columbia took third, and Princeton finished fourth.

“We were running with our hearts representing Villanova, which is much bigger than yourself,” Lipari said.

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

Twitter: @PhillyColSports

“When you get into this game, you just want to beat Princeton,” said Penn Coach Karin Brower-Corbett.  “The titles don’t resonate with me.  I just wanted our team to get better as a team.  It is a great accomplishment.  That is hard to do in a league this good.  I’m proud that we have been able to hand it down each year and fight for it each year as this league has gotten better and better.  It’s unbelievable and I am proud of them.”

Shannon Mangini – Photo Courtesy of The University of Pennsylvania

The Red and Blue got the win in overtime on a free-position goal by junior midfielder Shannon Mangini at the 2:16 mark of the second overtime period.  Mangini scored unassisted with 5:10 to play in regulation that tied the game at 9 sending the game into overtime.  It was her third goal of the game and number 17 of the season.  Sophomore goal keeper Lucy Ferguson made two key saves, one near the end of regulation and late in the second overtime that kept Penn alive.

“There is a sense of urgency, but you also need a sense of patience,” Mangini said about scoring the goals.  “There is a strategy to the overtime.  We wanted to possess it (the ball) and get the shot we really wanted.”

Ferguson made 7 saves against 19 Princeton shots.

“When it comes down to big moments in the game I am  just watching for the ball and not build it up in my head,” said Ferguson.  “I am just watching the ball and saying just make the next save, a save like it is in practice.”

Penn played one of their best all-around games of the season.  The Quakers would need it as Princeton played at a controlled pace.  The Tigers held the ball for the first five minutes of the game,  They would score on a free-position goal at the 25:09 mark by attack Alexandra Bruno.  The Tigers went ahead by a 2 – 0 score as attack Erin McMunn tallied her first of her 3 goals in the game.  A two goal margin was the biggest lead for either team.  Princeton took a two-goal lead at 9 – 7 as midfielder Erin Slifer converted a free-position opportunity at the 12:36 mark.  It would be the last goal of the game for the visitors.  Penn got to within one on a free-position goal by senior attack Caroline Bunting at 6:16, the final of her 4 goals, before Mangini took over.  It was a matter of Penn keeping their focus.

“This was our cleanest game of the year and needed to be,” Brower-Corbett said.  “We played like a team in every way and played the complete game we were looking for.”

The Red and Blue earned the top-seed in the Ivy League Tournament, and will host the tournament for the fourth year.  Penn has been the host each year of the Women’s Lacrosse Tournament.  The Red and Blue won the inaugural tournament but have lost the last two.  Coach Brower-Corbett knows winning the title is more important than hosting it as the Ivy League automatic bid is Penn’s path to the NCAA Tournament.

“We’ve been able to do that for four years (host the tournament), now we have to win it,” Brower-Corbett said.  “I don’t know what is going to happen with the NCAA Tournament.  We started slow and had two bad losses.  Our only sure way in is the Ivy League win.  You’ve got to win it and we haven’t done that these past two years.  I’m glad to be home, but I want to win it.”

Boxscore

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

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LaSalle Senior Melanie Sarcinello

“We came back being down 8 goals before,” said senior midfielder Melanie Sarcinello who led the Explorers with 4 goals in the contest on her senior day.  “We knew we could do it.  It was senior day.  A lot of the girls were fighting for us which was a great feeling.  We just wanted it.  We haven’t won in a while, and we wanted it.”

The loss snapped a four game losing streak for the host Explorers.  It did not appear that would happen as Temple dominated the first half of the game.  The Owls led 10 – 3 at halftime.  Temple controlled the ball by winning 11 of the 14 draw controls.  LaSalle got the first goal of the game unassisted by sophomore midfielder Kelly Furman just over a minute into the game.  The Owls responded by scoring the next five goals at the 17:16 mark.  The Cherry and White got 4 goals in the half from senior midfielder Charlotte Swavola who led the team in scoring.  Senior midfielder Stephany Parcell scored two of her three in the opening half.  As the teams prepared for the second half LaSalle readied for their comeback.

“It was a matter of changing our mindset and going back to being the fighting team that we are,” said LaSalle Coach Candace Taglianetti-Bossell.

“At halftime it was us (the coaches) telling them we believe in them and getting them (the players) to elevate their play.”

The Explorers came out in the second half scoring the first goal by Sarcinello.  Temple got the next two goals. Later in the half the Owls got their final tally of the game by freshman midfielder Avery Longstaff that was assisted by Swavola to lead 13 – 5 with 18:54 to play.  From that point on it was all LaSalle.  Sarcinello scored with 12:54 on the clock to bring the Explorers to within 13 – 9 with 12:54 to play.

Over the next nine-plus minutes neither team would score.  Furman scored on an assist from Sarcinello at the 3:11 mark to cut the gap to three.  Sarcinello tallied the next two goals over the next minute.  The Explorers tied it with 1:05 to play as sophomore midfielder Caitlyn Brostrand scored her third goal off a free-position shot.

The Owls had a chance. but Explorer senior goal keeper Maura Malone turned away a free-position shot.  LaSalle ran the ball down the field.  Ignacio got inside to get a free-position shot opportunity.  She converted and LaSalle climbed the mountain to get their first conference win.  As exciting as it was for LaSalle, it was a disappointing loss for Temple.

“LaSalle is the type of team that is never out of the game,” said Temple Coach Bonnie Rosen.  “Give them credit for staying tough and taking advantage of the opportunities we gave them.  We didn’t take care of the ball and got greedy to score goals.”

Malone mad 9 saves in the second half for a game total of 14.  Temple committed 8 second half turnovers compared to 5 for LaSalle.

The Explorer seniors will remember their last game on their home field pulling out the game on Senior Day.  Sarcinello will remember the day, the game, and how her team played.

“My last game on this field is something I’ll remember forever,” Sarcinello said.  “Fighting back from eight goals down, everyone kept their heads up, and no one stopped fighting.”

Boxscore

Senior Day Note:  Honored before the game for their four years of service to the program were; Sarcinello, Malone, Lauren McDermott, Jackie Donato, Jackie Roebuck, Ryan Yankovich, and Team Managers Carly Settar and Amanda Salata.  This class was the first recruiting class for Coach Taglianetti-Bossell.

Written By: Glenn Papazian

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Twitter: @Phillycolsports

There are times when you hit the ball hard, but it may be right at someone or hit the base.  Saint Joseph’s got 9 hits, but could only push 2 runs across the plate both in the 6th inning.

“We seemed to hit the ball where they weren’t,” said LaSalle Coach Mike Lake.  “Our kids put a lot of consistent hits together.”

Mike Lake, LaSalle Coach

LaSalle played station-to-station baseball.  Of the 21 hits by the Explorers 15 were singles, two were triples.  Of the four doubles hit by LaSalle 2 were ground rule doubles.  many if the hits were opposite field hits or just out of the reach of the Saint Joe’s fielders.  The visitors scored in 7 of 9 innings, but got no more than 2 runs at a time.  First baseman Mike Williams had 3 runs batted in and hit a double and a triple.  Ravert batted in 2 runs and had a triple.  Each LaSalle starter had at least one hit.

“You have to give them credit,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Fritz Hamburg.  “They had 21 hits and some found holes.  We had some opportunities that we didn’t cash in on.  They extended and that was the story of the game.”

Saint Joseph’s got extra base hits from right fielder Collin Forgey, first baseman Mike Muha, and left fielder Chris Hueth, all doubles.  Muha was 3 – 4 at the plate, while Hueth was 2 – 4, scored a run, and an RBI.  Shortstop Anthony Cirillo plated the other Hawk run.

Left-handed pitcher Shawn O’Neill went 6.2 innings to get his third win of the season against four losses.  O’Neill gave up 8 hits and both runs.  He struck out two and walked two.  Lake felt his starter battled his way to the win.

“It was gutty,” said Lake.  “He didn’t have his A-Game, but he hung in there, threw strikes, and got ahead.  He battled and that tells you what kind of heart he is made with.”

Jordan Carter took the loss for Saint Joseph’s giving up 13 hits and 7 runs, 5 earned, and fanned 3.  He was a victim of the seeing-eye hits by LaSalle.

“He was around the zone all day,” said Hamburg.  “The ground ball base hits were what we were looking for.  If those weren’t in the holes, they’re at people and we collect outs.  That’s his M.O. (Carter), and he’s made strides this year.  It was one of those days.”

LaSalle improves to 7 – 4 in Atlantic 10 play.  Saint Joseph’s evens their record at 17 and is 5 – 3 in conference.  Both teams hope to get to the conference tournament.  The win gives the Explorers an advantage over the Hawks as they look to making the tournament.

“We’re in the midst with the Atlantic 10 and that’s what counts,” Lake said.  “The league is everything.  We’re a little young and trying to get the kids to mature and work hard together.”

Boxscore
Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

Twitter: @Phillycolsports