Shepherd Uses Big 2nd-Half Rally to Outslug Notre Dame

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd outscored Notre Dame of Ohio 13-4 in the second half to rally for a 19-18 win in action at Ram Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore defender Jenna Benke (Baltimore, MD/Mercy scored the game-winner on a free position goal with 15 seconds left in regulation. The game endured a 53-minute delay due to lightning.

Junior midfielder Krista Tippett (Leonardtown, MD/Leonardtown) led the Rams with five goals.

Junior midfielder Nicole Ruane (Sykesville, MD/Century), freshman attack Georgia Karr (Eldersburg, MD/Liberty), and Benke each added three goals.

Sophomore attack Christina Ferrara (California, MD/Leonardtown) and sophomore attack Hanna Wharton (Ijamsville, MD/Urbana) each tallied a pair of goals, while freshman defender/midfielder Alyx Albano (Wayne, NJ/ Wayne Hills) also netted a goal.

Ruane and Karr each added a pair of assists.

Kristen Hull scored a game-high six goals to lead the Falcons. Madalyn Dewling added three goals and an assist.

The Falcons opened the game on a 10-4 run and had a 14-6 advantage at halftime.

Freshman netminder Lily Schmulowitz (Baltimore, MD/Catonsville) recorded five saves for the Rams, while Kelsey Harvey (4) and Jessica Vuozzo (2) combined for five saves for Notre Dame.

Shots were even at 34-34, while Shepherd held a 23-21 edge in ground balls. Notre Dame held a 20-19 advantage in draw controls.

Shepherd completes to 11-4 on the season, while Slippery Rock improves to 8-4. The Rams return to action on Saturday when they host Notre Dame of Ohio for a 4:00 p.m. contest in the season finale.

Notes: Head coach Meghan Keelan became the program all-time leader in coaching wins with 11. Nicole Ruane set a Shepherd season record for most points with 78, breaking the old mark of 73 set by Christina Ferrara in 2011.

2012-04-21