Box Score WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- Monmouth University women's lacrosse could not overcome an 8-1 first half deficit against the 20th ranked Delaware Blue Hens, eventually falling 14-5 on Wednesday afternoon.
Delaware exploited 19 Hawk first half turnovers to take an 8-1 lead after the first 30 minutes of play. Preseason All-American Caitlin McCartney had four points on three goals and an assist while causing seven turnovers and gathering eight ground balls. Sophomore Carly Sane (Clifton, Va./Centreville) led the way for the Hawks, scoring a pair of goals in the loss.
“I thought turnovers killed us today and it was not just our offense but our midfield and our defenders turning it over and gave them a lot of early goals,” said Monmouth Head Coach Denise Wescott. “Once that happened we played scared however I was pleased with our draw, I thought Kristina Vangeli did a great job there. When we finally kept possession, we got some looks at the goal cage and we scored. It was also nice to see some of our young players get on the field and handle it well.”
MU held a 13-8 advantage on draw controls but Delaware held a 23-13 margin on shots; including 14-3 in the first half. Both goaltenders played for Monmouth, with Katie Donohoe (Peterborough, Ontario/Holy Cross Catholic Secondary) coming away with five saves in the contest.
Blue Hen Casey Lyons, who led all scorers with five points, put her squad up 2-0 with a pair of goals coming within 11 seconds of each other at the 27:48 and 27:37 marks. Sane cut the lead to one on and unassisted marker with 19:23 but Delaware answered by scoring six straight goals to close out the half and take a seven-goal lead into the break.
The Hawks were much more composed in the second half, despite the fact that UD's lead had grown to 10-2 on goals by Becky Gohsler. Sane's second goal put the Hawks nine back (11-2). Juniors Michelle Gonzales (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) and Marial Pierce (Middleburg, Va./St. John's Catholic Prep) tallied goals for the Hawks after Delaware took a 12-Sophomore Alex Stambaugh (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East) scored Monmouth's final goal with an assist going to freshman Alexa Smith (Westhampton Beach, N.Y./Westhampton Beach).
Senior defender Gracie Williams (Reston,Va./Herndon) had three caused turnovers and four ground balls while junior Kristina Vangeli (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) had seven draw controls.
Monmouth will have a 10 day layoff before returning to Monmouth Stadium to host Saint Joe's in a game that is slated to air on ESPN3.
