FAIRFIELD, CT (February 25, 2007) – Sacred Heart sophomore Mary Montesarchio (Cortlandt Manor, NY) scored what proved to be the game-winner with 3:02 left and caused a turnover with 2:15 left that allowed the Pioneers to run out the clock on the way to a 10-9 win over Binghamton University in the season opener for both clubs Sunday afternoon in Fairfield.

The Pioneers (1-0, 0-0) led 6-3 at the half and 7-3 in the opening minute of the second half but the Bearcats (0-1, 0-0) roared back and led 9-8 with just under seven minutes to play to set up the SHU comeback.

Binghamton sprinted out of the opening draw and led 3-0 just over three minutes into the action. BU's Liz Wright tacked on a pair of goals at 27:53 and 27:32 followed by a marker by Leanne Muso at 26:49. From there it was all SHU for the rest of half as the Pioneers rattled off six unanswered starting at 18:45 on an unassisted marker from sophomore Amanda Williams (Monroe, CT). SHU senior Brianna Bubeck (Bethlehem, NY) picked-up the ensuing draw and feed a cutting Carissa Hauser (East Northport, NY) who deposited it in the back of the net just 26 seconds later.

Senior Liz Ottey (Baltimore, MD) was next with an unassisted tally at 16:18 followed by two-straight off the stick of Bubeck at 10:21 and 7:20. Sophomore Meghan McCaffrey (Garden City, NY) set-up the first Bubeck score while Montesarchio provided the feed on the second goal. Bubeck struck again off the ensuing draw, scooping up the loose ball and feeding Hauser for her second goal just 13 seconds after her score, sending SHU into the break up 6-3.

Hauser added her third score in the first minute of the second half, scoring off an 8-meter shot at 29:06. Binghamton's offense kicked it into gear and rattled off a run of their own, scoring five-unanswered to take an 8-7 lead. Heather Grose started the rally at 26:13 scoring unassisted and gave her team back the lead at 17:06 with another off a feed from Anna Riordan. In between, Wright picked-up her third score of the day.

SHU's Williams knotted the game at 8-8 with her second goal from Hauser at 10:50. Binghamton answered to make it 9-8 on a Danielle Edwards 8meter goal at 6:59. SHU re-found their offense as Williams again provided the game-tying goal, coming at 5:42 from 8meters. Montesarchio scored the game-winner at 3:02, slashing to the cage and converting a feed from Hauser for the 10-9 lead.

Bubeck once again won the draw but turned the ball over deep in SHU territory. The Bearcats tried to advance past midfield when Montesarchio knocked the ball loose from Wright with a stick check setting up SHU with the ball with 2:15 left and from there the Pioneers successfully ran out the clock, never giving up possession as the horn sounded.

Hauser turned in a masterful effort in her first collegiate game with five points on three goals and two assists. Bubeck finished with a pair of goals and assists and Williams added three markers. Freshmen goalies Laurine Stafin (Spring Lake, NJ) and Chelsea Wagner (Aurora, CO) spilt time in goal. Stafin made five saves while Wagner record six stops and picked up the win.

Binghamton got three points apiece from Wright, Edwards and Grose. Sandra Alvarez played the full 60 minutes in the cage making 11 saves.

The Pioneers return to action on Friday, March 2nd when they host Brown University at 3:00 pm.

2007-02-25