MORAGA, CALIF. – Colgate scored 13 consecutive goals to break open a tight game early en route to posting a convincing 15-6 victory over Saint Mary's College (Calif.), Wednesday afternoon in women's lacrosse action.

Brie Moran (Little Silver, N.J.) led eight Raider goal scorers with four, while Ashley Didio (Syracuse, N.Y.) contributed three more as Colgate won its fifth straight contest and improved to 7-2 overall. The Gaels slipped to 1-6. It marks the first five-game winning streak for the program since the 2006 season.

The Raiders got off to a quick start with goals from Maddie Kearns (Chevy Chase, Md.) and Colleen Bubnack (Syracuse, N.Y.) in the game's opening 3:32 to grab an early 2-0 advantage. However, Saint Mary's rallied back with two of its own from Abbie Coleman (24:37) and Amy Daniels (22:58) to knot the game at 2-2.

From that point on, it was all Colgate. Moran posted her first of three in the opening half at 21:03 to give the Raiders the lead for good. The junior and Didio stretched the lead to four by posting three goals in a 39 second span – two by Didio. After Meghan Lawler (Liverpool, N.Y.) gave Colgate a 7-2 lead at 10:49, Moran closed the scoring in the opening half with back-to-back goals at 9:47 and 2:27 respectively as the Raiders cruised into half with a 9-2 lead.

Leading 10-2, Colgate took advantage of a yellow card to a Saint Mary's player and converted three man-up goals within the three minute advantage to push the lead into double figures. The lead grew to as many as 13 at 15-2 as Katie Holland (San Diego, Calif.) scored her second goal of the game with 12:20 left.

Moran added an assist for a five-point afternoon. Lawler matched the junior's point total with a two-goal, three-assist effort. Didio finished with three goals and four points, while freshman Greer Goebels (Coronado, Calif.) posted her first multi-point game with a goal and an assist in a return trip to the west coast.

Colgate outshot Saint Mary's 46-21. Sara Drexler (Pottstown, Pa.) turned aside three shots in 30 minutes and was credited with the victory. With the result, the senior moved by Jane Murray for sixth on the all-time list for career victories. Christina Roa (Potomac, Md.) stopped two shots and Maggie Carey (Medfield, Mass.) made one stop in the final 30 minutes of action.

Daniels led Saint Mary's with two goals. Goalie Hilary Gardner made 20 saves in 47:48 of action before being replaced.

Colgate returns to action, Saturday afternoon as it ends its Spring Break trip at Oregon. Game time is set for a noon start in Eugene.

2009-03-18