DAVIS, Calif. -- Senior Megan O'Connor scored four goals with two assists while freshmen Olivia Jarem and Molly Lapolla each added hat tricks as UC Davis survived a late scare in a 13-12 win over Lafayette in non-conference collegiate women's lacrosse action at Aggie Field Wednesday.

The Aggies even their record at 4-4 overall. The Leopards, members of the Patriot League, drop to 0-5 for the year.

Lafayette junior Maddy Booth scored a game-high five goals with four assists for nine total points. Teammate Maria Drehwing added three goals while Kirstin Ruminski had a pair of assists.

The Leopards held a 4-2 lead early in the game, pulling ahead with goals by Emily Archibald and Booth in the 11th and 12th minutes. UC Davis erased the deficit quickly, as Jarem scored two goals in a span of 53 seconds to cap a 5-0 run late in the first half. The Aggies held a 7-5 run at the halftime break.

O'Connor had back-to-back goals, then junior midfielder Katie McGovern assisted senior Alden Monger and Lapolla on a pair of goals as UC Davis stretched its advantage to 11-6 midway through the second period. Lapolla later completed her hat trick on an eight-meter attempt, pushing the Aggies up by 13-7 with 11:37 remaining.

Lafayette then scored five straight during the final five minutes of play, while UC Davis missed on five shooting attempts in the same span. Sydney Peyser hit her eight-meter shot with 1:10 to bring the Aggie lead to 13-11, then Kat Hueglin's draw control set up a Booth goal just 20 seconds later to cut the margin to a single goal.

Freshman midfielder Tara Mayo had a chance to tie the game for the Leopards in that final minute, winning the ensuing draw and advancing quickly to the UC Davis cage. However, Aggie goalkeeper Hilary Harkins stopped the shot for her eighth save and her teammates successfully cleared the ball to the offensive third as time expired.

Wednesday's game is the last for the Aggies before they head into final examinations. UC Davis returns to action for two road games against Patriot League members, facing Lehigh on March 26 and Bucknell on March 28.

2007-03-14