HAMILTON, N.Y. (2/17/07) - The Colgate women's lacrosse team erased a 6-3 halftime deficit to go up 10-8 with 8:22 left in the game, but was unable to hold on for the win and lost its season opener to Stony Brook, 11-10, on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Tyler's Field.

Senior tri-captain Tara Casey (Syracuse, N.Y.) led the Raider effort with three goals, including the goal with 8:22 left that gave Colgate a 10-8 lead. However, Stony Brook got goals from three different players in the final five minutes to take the win, including the fourth score of the game for Kaitlin Leggio. Diana Caroleo scored what would stand up as the game-winning goal with 2:57 left in regulation.

Colgate entered the second half down 6-3 after Stony Brook scored three goals within the final 10 minutes of the opening period. Carlee Buck scored the last two goals in that run, and assisted on the first.

The Raiders stormed back after the intermission to tie the game at 6-6 before six minutes had elapsed in the final frame. Sophomore Ashley Didio (Syracuse, N.Y.) started the run with her second goal of the game, then classmate Molly Carroll (Swarthmore, Pa.) scored back-to-back goals to knot the score.

Leggio scored her third goal of the game just short of the 39-minute mark to pull her Seawolves ahead again, but the Raiders scored twice within 30 seconds to take an 8-7 lead. Junior Jessica Van der Meulen (Liverpool, N.Y.) netted the tying goal 13:36 into the frame, and Casey found the back of the cage 26 seconds later.

SBU's Jenna Celano made it an 8-8 tie with a free position goal just over the midway point of the half, but within 95 seconds Colgate had regained its lead on a goal by junior Lindsay Pittard (Skaneateles, N.Y.). Casey scored again to put Colgate ahead by two, but the Raiders were unable to make the lead stick.

In her first collegiate start, sophomore goalkeeper Sara Drexler (Pottstown, Pa.) made 10 saves. Stony Brook senior Jen Sandtorv earned the win after making 16 stops, including nine in the first half.

Colgate outshot Stony Brook, 38-29, including eight shots each by Casey and Didio. The Raiders also earned the edge in groundballs, 28-15, but were edged on draws, 13-10.

Colgate kicks off a seven-game road swing on Saturday, Feb. 24, when it visits LaSalle for a 12:00 p.m. game.

Box Score

2007-02-17