PISCATAWAY, N.J. (April 10, 2007) – The No. 18 Rutgers women's lacrosse team (11-2, 2-1) notched its fifth-straight win with an 18-3 defeat of Manhattan (2-9) on Tuesday night at Yurcak Field. Nine different RU players scored in the game, including multiple goals by five Scarlet Knights. Senior Katie Batiuk (Jackson, N.J.) netted a game-high five goals in the team's final home game of the regular season.

Rutgers nearly tripled the Jaspers in shots, taking 35 to Manhattan's 11. RU also won 15 draw controls and was successful on all but three clear attempts. The team went 3-for-3 in free position attempts, while the Jaspers failed to convert any of their three free position attempts into goals.

The Scarlet Knights jumped out to quick lead, with Katy Lawrence (Pylesville, Md.) scoring the first goal of the game just 18 seconds into the half. Manhattan would tie the game at one on a goal by Lauren Civardi, but that was as close as the Jaspers would come. RU went on to score four unanswered goals by four different players and held a 5-1 lead with 15:44 still remaining in the opening half. The Scarlet Knights closed out the half with another four unanswered goals to take an 11-3 lead at the midway point of the game. Nina Frankoski (Maplewood, N.J.) scored two of her three goals before the half, including the final score of the opening period.

RU continued its momentum in the second half, holding Manhattan without a goal. The Jaspers managed just two shots in the second period and won just one draw control. Batiuk scored two of her five goals in the final 30 minutes of play. Batiuk now leads the team in goals with 36. Anne Marchitello (Medford Lakes, N.J.) scored the final goal of the game to seal the 18-3 victory over Manhattan.

Three different RU goalies saw action in the game, with Erika Page (Moorestown, N.J.) getting the start and finishing with four saves. Sandra Abel (Monrovia, Md.) saw 15 minutes of action in the second half. Katherine Parker (Sykesville, Md.) entered the game for the final seven minutes of the final half and made two saves against Manhattan.

The Jaspers were led in scoring by Brenna Tinari's two goals while Manhattan was held without an assist. The three goals by Manhattan were the fewest scored by a Rutgers opponent this season.

The Scarlet Knights will be back in action when they travel to Syracuse on Friday, April 13, for a 7:00 p.m. game.

2007-04-11