Tiffany Manzi had a game-high four points and the Quinnipiac University women's lacrosse team rallied from two goals down at the recess to defeat CCSU, 9-6, in the NEC opener for both teams on Friday afternoon.

Trailing 5-3 at the half, the Bobcats began the second frame with four straight goals and surrendered only one in the final thirty minutes. Celebrating her 20th birthday, Katie Latonick set up the second half equalizer and her first career goal proved to be the eventual game-winning tally.

Quinnipiac improves to 3-3 overall, 1-0 in NEC play. CCSU drops to 1-5 overall, 0-1 in NEC play.

Despite some slow starts, all three of the Bobcats' victories have come when the opponent scores first and this game was no exception. CCSU scored the first two goals of the game in the opening 3:04. The scores came from Lauren Paolillo and Stephanie John.

Quinnipiac countered with two straight goals just 43 seconds apart to tie the score up at 2's. Manzi found Katy Delagi at 25:21 and Nicole Fiore followed with a goal on a free position shot at 24:38.

The Blue Devils regained their lead with a goal at 15:39, but Quinnipiac's Janelle Lopez found the back of the net on a free position shot to tie the score a second time at 3-3.

CCSU scored the final two goals of the half to take a 5-3 lead into the recess. John and Hayes had the Blue Devil goals at 6:46 and 3:59.

The Bobcats came screaming out of the gates in the second half with four straight goals and would never look back. Delagi found Manzi at 27:53 to pull the Bobcats within one.

Quinnipiac would then tie the game with 17:37 on the clock. On a clear attempt in the Blue Devil zone, CCSU's Valerie Anderson made a pass upfield from the right corner. Katie Latonick intercepted the ball at the middle of the field and found Fiore who ran all the way in for the Bobcat goal. Latonick was credited with the assist after the caused turnover.

Manzi gave Quinnipiac the lead for good and would score on a free position shot to make it 6-5 at 18:40.

Katie Latonick followed with her first career goal which would prove to be the eventual game-winner at 17:37. She took a pass from Brittany Hauser and battled all the way through the Blue Devil defense. Hauser, who also won four draw controls, was credited with the helper.

CCSU got one more goal at 11:46, but that was all the Blue Devils would get past Hannah Nelson in the second half.

Leading by a goal at 7-6, the Bobcats killed the clock with possessions in the Blue Devil zone for as long as four minutes.

The Blue Devils were still down just a goal with under two minutes to play in regulation and were forced to foul the Bobcats. Fiore was fouled in the far left corner. After the whistle blew, she weaved through the defense to create her own scoring opportunity. Fiore completed her third hat trick of the season with 1:46 remaining to give Quinnipiac a two-goal lead.

Manzi won the ensuing draw and the Blue Devils had to start fouling again. After a Blue Devil foul, Manzi took a shot from almost 20 yards out that was saved by CCSU's Alice Lee. Delagi was the only player inside the eight-meter arc. She scooped up the ground ball and flinged the ball past Lee with eight ticks left on the clock to make it 9-6.

CCSU won the ensuing draw as time expired and Quinnipiac would emerge with the victory to open up NEC play a perfect 1-0.

Quinnipiac's Hannah Nelson made six saves on 12 chances and was credited with the win. CCSU's Alice Lee turned away 12 shots on 21 opportunities and was credited with the loss.

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2007-03-23