Pioneer Women's Lacrosse Post 8-4 Win Over Niagara
3/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
March 23, 2003
FAIRFIELD, CT (March 23, 2003) - The Sacred Heart women's lacrosse team turned in a solid defensive effort Sunday morning, posting an 8-4 win over Niagara University on Campus Field. The Pioneers built a 5-3 halftime lead and held the Purple Eagles to just a late second half goal to even their record at 2-2 on the year.
Sacred Heart opened the scoring just three minutes into play as senior Michelle Bruckner (Carle Place, NY) took a feed from sophomore Natalie Smith (Wantagh, NY) and gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead on the first of her two goals on the day. The Purple Eagles came right back, scoring back-to-back goals from Megan McNerney and Rachel Jones, both assisted by Sandra Gallegos, to take a 2-1 lead.
SHU junior Christina Macchia (Carle Place, NY) knotted the game at 2-2 at 19:28 and it remained tied until just under the 11-minute mark when sophomore Mary Romano (Baldwin, NY) gave the Pioneers the lead for good on a free position goal. Sacred Heart took command in the second half on Macchia and Bruckner's second goals and sealed it when Smith found the back of the net with just over four minutes to play.
In goal for Sacred Heart, junior Amy Lavoie turned away 10 Niagara shots to pick-up her second win of the year. For NU, now 2-2 on the season, Michelle Nucci stopped eight shots in the loss.
Sacred Heart will return to action this Tuesday, March 25th as the Pioneers play host to Stony Brook at 3 pm.
Box Score: 1 2 F Niagara (2-2) 3 1 4 Sacred Heart (2-2) 5 3 8Scoring: Goals SHU - Macchia (2), Bruckner (2), Smith, Montesarchio, Romano, Reichert Niagara - McNerney (2), Jones, Grosso Assists Sacred Heart - Smith Niagara - Gallegos (2)
Goaltending: Sacred Heart - Lavoie, 10 saves Niagara - Nucci, 8 saves
Ground Balls Sacred Heart - 29 Niagara - 25
