SHU Women's Lacrosse Falls to Siena in Closing Seconds, 5-4
3/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
March 9, 2004
FAIRFIELD, CT (March 9, 2004) - The Sacred Heart women's lacrosse team lost a tough 5-4 decision to Siena College on a snowy afternoon on Campus Field. The Pioneers trailed for much of the day but battled back to tie the game at 4-4 with just 39 seconds to play. With game appearing headed for overtime, the Saints made one last charge and Stephanie Petruccelli came through with the game-winner with just nine ticks left on the clock.
Siena struck first in the first four minutes of play as Eide opened the scoring converting on a free-position shot. The Pioneers knotted the game at 1-1 at the 18:55 mark as junior Natalie Smith (Wantagh, NY) scored her ninth goal of the season, unassisted.
Eide scored her second of the day with 12:18 to go followed by Claire Devine just 41 seconds later giving Siena a 3-1 lead. Pioneer senior Jackie Reichert (Nesconset, NY) scored in the fourth minute to cut the lead back one on a feed from Smith. The Saints built their lead back to two however as Stephanie Petruccelli found the back of the net unassisted with just 55 seconds to play.
Much of the second half was mired by sloppy play on both sides on a slick field. The Pioneers began their march back in it when junior JoAnn Montesarchio (Cortlandt Manor, NY) scored from the free position to get SHU to within 4-3.
With under a minute to go, the Pioneers made their final charge. Sophomore Jamie Pettit (Baldwin, NY) created a turnover on Siena's end where Montesarchio collected the ground ball and took off on a breakaway. The junior midfielder beat Saint goalkeeper Mary -Elizabeth Dupelle to tie the game up, 4-4, with just 39 seconds to play.
The Saints would get the last shot as Eide won the ensuing draw control to put her team in position for some last second heroics. Siena ran their offensive set and Petruccelli took a pass behind the net from Claire Devine, came around and placed her shot past the stick of SHU goalie Amy Lavoie (Nashua, NH) for her third goal of the day.
The loss drops Sacred Heart to 2-1 on the year. Smith finished with a goal and an assist while Montesarchio netted two. Lavoie turned away eight Saint shots in taking the loss.
Sacred Heart is back in action this Thursday, March 11th hosting Niagara at 12 noon.
Box Score: 1 2 F Siena (1-2) 4 1 5 Sacred Heart (2-1) 2 2 4 Scoring: Goals: SHU - Montesarchio (2), Smith, Reichert; SC - Eide (2), Petruccelli (2), Devine Assists: SHU - Smith; SC - Devine Goaltending: Sacred Heart - Lavoie, 8 saves: SC - Dupelle, 9 saves
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