SHU Travels to Holy Cross to Close Non-Conference Play
4/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
April 15, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Sacred Heart Pioneers (9-6, 6-1 NEC) vs. Holy Cross Crusaders (4-10, 2-4 Patriot)
Game #16 - Wendesday, April 16, 2008 - 7:00 pm - Worcester, Mass. - Hart Turf Field (2,790)
SHU Travels to Holy Cross to Close Non-Conference Play... Sacred Heart will close out the non-league portion of their schedule and get in one final tune-up before the regular season finale on Sunday when they travel to Holy Cross on Wednesday night. The Pioneers saw their seven-game winning streak snapped last time out against Quinnipiac but can still clinch a share of the Northeast Conference regulars season title with a win on Sunday. Before getting to Central, the Pioneers will be out to end a two-game slide against the Crusaders. SHU is 3-5 in non-league action this season, 1-2 on the road. The Crusaders are 4-10 on the season and coming off a 17-10 loss at home in Patriot League play.
The Sacred Heart - Holy Cross Series... The Crusaders lead the series, 6-2, since the 2000 season. Holy Cross has won two-straight after a 12-8 win in Fairfield last season. The Crusaders posted an 11-4 win in 2006 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Pioneers posted wins during the 2005 season, 7-6 at Holy Cross, and during the 2004 season, 13-9 at home.
Up Next... The Pioneers will play host to Central Connecticut on Sunday afternoon on "Senior Day". SHU will honor their three graduating seniors, Alyssa Harris, Liz Ottey and Katie Salamone, along with their parents prior to the game.
Last Meeting with Holy Cross... Holy Cross broke open a 6-5 game at the half with four goals in 11 minutes while holding Sacred Heart in check en route to a 12-8 win at Campus Field last March. The Pioneer attack was led by senior Brianna Bubeck and junior Katie Salamone, who each had two goals. Bubeck scored both of her goals in the final 4:17 of the first half to bring the Pioneers within one, 6-5, at the break. Holy Cross scored four goals in the first 11 minutes of the second half to get some breathing room at 10-5. Salamone scored her second goal of the game to end the run but Holy Cross answered at the 12:59 mark to give the Crusaders the momentum again. Freshman Carissa Hauser and sophomore Meghan McCaffery combined for goals 24 seconds apart at the twelve minute mark to make the score 11-8. However, Holy Cross put the game away with an insurance goal 5:45. Holy Cross out shot Sacred Heart 24-20 in the win. Freshman Laurine Stafin made 11 saves for the Pioneers in goal.
Another NEC Tourney Appearance... The Pioneers clinched their third-straight NEC Tournament berth and the sixth in their history in the league. If the Pioneers beat the Central Connecticut Blue Devils on Sunday, they will clinch a share of the NEC regular season championship with Quinnipiac and possibly Monmouth as well. If the Pioneers and Bobcats tie for first place, QU will host the tournament thanks to their head-to-head win. If there is a three way tie, the tie breaker will come down to goals allowed once all games have been played.
Balanced Attack... Coming into the season, SHU had eight players returning who scored double digit points last season. With two games to play, eight Pioneers are in double figures this season with three at 25 or more goals scored. Junior Amanda Williams leads the Pioneers with 34 goals scored and eight assists. Seniors Katie Salamone and Liz Ottey have 28 and 25 goals each, respectively. The Pioneers are averaging 24.9 shots per game with a .458 shooting percentage.
Montesarchio a Record Breaker... Junior Mary Montesarchio continues to add to her school record season assist totals with 30 on the year while also setting the career assists mark. She has also passed Jen Fallon's (1993-96) 52 career helpers and now owns the career mark with 60 and counting.
NEC Stats... The Sacred Heart Pioneers are ranked fourth in the league in goals per game (11.40), third in assists per game (5.33) and fourth in points per game (16.73). SHU is second in shot percentage (.458). The Pioneers have the second ranked defensive unit allowing just 9.20 goals per game. Amanda Williams is fifth in goals per game (2.27). Mary Montesarchio is second in the NEC in assists per game (2.00) and sixth in points per game (3.07). Williams is 10th in points (2.80) and tied for first with four game-winning goals. Chelsea Wagner is second in goals against average (9.36), saves per game (10.60) and save percentage (.541)
History... This is the Pioneer's 11th year of competition in the Northeast Conference. Sacred Heart has qualified for the NEC Tournament five times and posts a 95-78 Division I record. The Pioneers have posted 10 wins three times.
