WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- Monmouth University's (0-5) women's lacrosse team dropped
their home opener, losing to LaSalle (3-2) in a four-overtime thriller at
Kessler Field Friday.
The Hawks had a commanding 11-6 lead with just over 11 minutes left in
regulation but LaSalle score six consecutive goals, four from senior Jill
Davis, to knot the game and send it into overtime. Davis, who finished the game with seven goals
and one assist on the day, scored the game-tying goal with just 15 ticks left
on the clock.
After a scoreless first overtime period, Monmouth's Ali Pollock (Watervliet,
N.Y./Shaker) put the Blue & White ahead just 22 second into the second
OT. The Explorers pulled off last-second
heroics again, with Lauren McDermott tying the game for a fifth time with 21
seconds left in the frame. In the fourth
overtime Davis sealed MU's fate, picking up a loose ball on a wide shot and
scoring her seventh goal of the game. It
is the second straight season that LaSalle has taken a one-goal game from the
Hawks.
Senior Megan Brennan (King of Prussia, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) got the Hawks on
the board early with the game's first goal at the 27:15 mark of the first
half. LaSalle outscored MU 6-2 over the
next 26 minutes of the half before Brennan and senior Shawn Evans (Moorestown,
N.J./Moorestown) scored a pair of goals in the final two minutes to cut the
halftime lead to 6-5.
Monmouth came out and dominated the opening two-thirds of the second half,
scoring six unanswered goals to take 11-6 lead.
Brennan and Evans each scored twice during the run, while Pollock and
junior Carissa Franzi (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex) before LaSalle clawed its
way back into the game.
The two teams played a physical contest in the nonstop driving rain, with the
Hawks and Explorers combining for six yellow cards and 76 fouls. For the second straight game Monmouth was
solid on draw controls, earning a 19-11 advantage. The Hawks also held a 28-24 margin in
shots. Explorer sophomore Megan Corliss
recorded eight saves in the win, while MU's Kirby Mundorf (Catonsville,
Md./Seton Keogh) had five.
Evans tallied five points on four goals and an assist while adding a pair of
caused turnovers and a ground ball.
Brennan also finished with four goals and an assist while corralling
eight draw controls.
The Hawks will face Saint Joseph's on Sunday in Philadelphia; game time is set
for 12 p.m.
