SHU Women's Lacrosse Edges Vermont, 7-6, in Season Opener
2/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 29, 2004
FAIRFIELD, CT (February 29, 2004) - Junior Natalie Smith (Wantagh, NY) recorded a hat-trick to lead the Sacred Heart women's lacrosse team to a 7-6 win over the University of Vermont Sunday afternoon. The Pioneers trailed 5-4 seven minutes into the second half but rallied for three-straight goals to come away with the win in the season opener for both clubs.
SHU got on the board first when senior Christina Macchia (Carle Place, NY) sliced through the Vermont defense to notch the first of her two goals just 2:48 into play. The Catamounts answered just over five minutes later when junior Vanessa Cox scored from the free position to knot it at one goal apiece.
Smith gave the Pioneers the lead back at 19:25 with her first of the day coming off the stick of senior Jackie Reichert (Nesconset, NY). UVM's Sarah Booker knotted the game back up less then two minutes later converting on a Cox feed to beat Pioneer goalie Amy Lavoie (Nashua, NH). Smith tickled the twine for the second time in stylish fashion, cutting across the middle, taking a feed from junior JoAnn Montesarchio (Cortlandt Manor, NY) and flipping a backhand shot behind her head and past Catamount goalie Kate McBride for a 3-2 lead. Vermont answered back with two more goals from Cox, both from the free position, to hold a 4-3 advantage at the break.
The Pioneers pulled even once again at the 26:52 mark of the second half as senior Meghan Tucker (Carle Place, NY) picked up her first goal of the year off a feed from Reichert. As they did all afternoon, the Catamounts went to Cox, who had the answer scoring her fourth goal of the day off a feed from Ashleigh Wilson.
SHU offense took over inside the 19th minute, rattling off three-straight goals that proved too much for Vermont to overcome. Macchia scored her second of the day from Montesarchio to tie the game at 5-5 at the 18:39 mark. The Pioneers stormed ahead for good at 13:26 on Smith's third goal, from freshman Maureen Hohn (Lutherville, MD) and Montesarchio completed the run with the eventual game winner off a pass from Macchia.
Vermont pulled within one, 7-6, at the seven minute mark as Erin Hall scored unassisted but the Pioneer defense clamped down and held the Catamounts in check the rest of the way to earn the win. SHU junior Maggie Brauer (Blauvelt, NY) played the second half in goal and recorded four saves to pick-up the win.
In addition to Smith's three goals, both Macchia and Montesarchio also finished with three points in the win. Macchia had two goals and an assist while Montesarchio finished with a goal and two assists. Reichert handed out two helpers and led the team with four ground balls.
The Pioneers return to action this Thursday, March 4th hosting Davidson at 3:30 pm
Box Score: 1 2 F Vermont (0-1) 4 2 6 Sacred Heart (1-0) 3 4 7Scoring: Goals SHU - Smith (3), Macchia (2), Montesarchio, Tucker UVM - Cox (4), Booker, Hall Assists SHU - Montesarchio (2), Reichert (2), Hohn, Macchia UVM - Cox, Wilson Goaltending: Sacred Heart - Lavoie, 1 save; Brauer 4 saves UVM - McBride, 5 saves
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