GAFFNEY, S.C. - Limestone College picked up an 11-10 victory against Lock Haven University in women's lacrosse action on Friday afternoon at Saints Field. Limestone climbs to 4-0 overall as the Eagles' record evens to 1-1. Both teams are tied for No. 4 in the latest Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association NCAA Division II poll.

Lock Haven struck first with a goal by Amber Hoch (Souderton, Pa.) just 24 seconds into the game. Leigh Titus (Towaco, N.J.) scored seven minutes later. Lady Saint Casey Wilcox (Liverpool, N.Y.) cut the Eagles' lead to one with her goal at the 18:47 mark. However, Jacqueline Macone (Jackson, N.J.) got a goal one minute later to increase LHU's margin to two (3-1). The Lady Saints tied the score with back-to-back goals from Kelly Lickert (Penn Yan, N.Y.).

Renee Albro (Purcellville, Va.) gave Limestone the 5-3 lead after she scored off a pass from Lickert and then capitalized on a free-position attempt. Hoch scored two more goals at the 8:07 and 6:32 marks to tie the score again, but Albro scored her third goal of the half with only 25 seconds on the clock. Lady Saint goalkeeper Brigid Michling (Cockeysville, Md.) had two big saves in the final moments of the period to ensure her team's 6-5 lead at halftime.

Each team scored five goals in the second half. Once again, Lock Haven kicked off the scoring with an unassisted goal by Titus. Limestone took the 10-6 lead with two goals from Kelly Oterson (Islip Terrace, N.Y.), and a free-position goal from Katie Ilott (Whitby, Ontario, Canada). Oterson scored again with 11:12 on the clock.

The Eagles rallied in the final 11 minutes. Goals from Kayleigh Johnson (Fairport, N.Y.), Elyse Fisher (Jackson, N.J.), Titus, and Allison Berger (Oreland, Pa.) evened the score at 10-10 with 3:35 remaining in the contest. Limestone's Erin Growney (Rochester, N.Y.) won the next draw control and Limestone maintained possession for the next two minutes. Oterson scored with 25 seconds on the clock to gain the 11-10 edge for the Lady Saints. Clare Gaeng (Frederick, Md.) won the following draw for the Eagles. With only three seconds left on the clock, a foul was called on Limestone, resulting in a free-position attempt for Lock Haven's Jamie Uzialko (Lima, N.Y.). Michling came up with the save as the Lady Saints picked up their fourth win of the season.

Michling had 14 saves for Limestone, as Heather Sacko (Fairport, N.Y.) had 9 for Lock Haven. Oterson led the Lady Saints with four goals. Albro recorded a hat trick and dished out an assist. Lickert had two goals and one assist for three points. Ilott won three draw controls while tallying a goal and an assist. Lauryn Wise (Pasadena, Md.) had two caused turnovers and three draw controls.

Hoch led Lock Haven's attack with four points from three goals and one assist. She also had a game-high four draw controls. Titus also scored three goals and won two draw controls. Kathleen Zichelli (South Orange, N.J.) picked up five ground balls.

Limestone outshot the visitors 29-28, and each squad posted 15 ground balls. Lock Haven was 17-20 on clears while the Lady Saints were 14-20. The Lady Saints were 3-7 on free-position shots while the Eagles were 0-5. The hosts also won 13 of the game's 23 draw controls.

Limestone hosts Lees-McRae on March 10 at 4:00 p.m. at Saints Field. Lock Haven plays Molloy College on March 8 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. Start time is set for 1:00 p.m.

Score by Period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Lock Haven..........  5  5 - 10
Limestone...........  6  5 - 11
 
Lock Haven SCORING:
GOALS: Amber Hoch 3; Leigh Titus 3; Kayleigh Johnson 1; Elyse Fisher 1;
       Jacqueline Macone 1; Allison Berger 1.
ASSISTS: Kayleigh Johnson 3; Kate Smyth 2; Elyse Fisher 1; Amber Hoch 1.
 
Limestone SCORING:
GOALS: Oterson, Kelly 4; Albro, Renee 3; Lickert, Kelly 2; Ilott, Katie 1;
       Wilcox, Casey 1.
ASSISTS: Albro, Renee 1; Howard, Melissa 1; Ilott, Katie 1; Lickert, Kelly 1.
 
Shots by period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Lock Haven.......... 14 14 - 28
Limestone........... 16 13 - 29
 
Ground balls by prd   1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Lock Haven..........  8  7 - 15
Limestone...........  6  9 - 15
 
Turnovers by prd      1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Lock Haven..........  8  6 - 14
Limestone...........  8 10 - 18
 
Clears by period       1     2     Total
----------------------------------------
Lock Haven..........  9-11  8-9  - 17-20
Limestone...........  7-9   7-11 - 14-20
 
Free-position shots    1     2     Total
----------------------------------------
Lock Haven..........  0-1   0-4  -  0-5
Limestone...........  1-1   2-6  -  3-7
 
Saves by period       1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Lock Haven..........  5  3 -  8
Limestone...........  6  8 - 14
 
Draw controls by prd  1  2  Tot
-------------------------------
Lock Haven..........  6  4 - 10
Limestone...........  6  7 - 13

2009-03-06