STORRS, Conn. (April 24, 2007) - Senior Shannon Burke (Camillus, N.Y.) became the first University of Connecticut women's lacrosse player to tally 100 points in a single season when she posted five goals and three assists in the Huskies' 14-7 win over Quinnipiac Tuesday night at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex.

Led by Burke, a season-high 10 UConn players recorded at least one point in the contest, including all five seniors that took to the field. In the final game of their careers, Burke, Tori Joel (Bel Air, Md.), Kristin Link (Slingerlands, N.Y.), Clare Schwan (Albany, N.Y.) and Laura Trzasko (Plainsboro, N.J.) each contributed to the team's offensive output.

Prior to the game, those five seniors, plus injured player Janet Williams (Reisterstown, Md.) and team manager Bonnie Levin (Rose Valley, Pa.) were recognized for their accomplishments and contributions over the last four years.

On the opposite end of the field, it was an underclassman that shined in the Huskies' defensive effort. In her first collegiate start, sophomore goalkeeper Amanda Wilson (Hudson, Ohio) tallied six saves while giving up just three goals in 44:28 of action.

Bolstered by two goals and an assist from Burke, UConn jumped out to an early lead by opening the game with a 5-0 run over the first 9:47 of play. Nicole Fiore scored her first of four for Quinnipiac at 16:06 to stop the onslaught, but the Huskies quickly put back two more over the next five minutes to go up 7-1 with 11:58 to play.

After several minutes with little action, sophomore Whitney Michele (East Rochester, N.Y.) posted the final goal of the half at 4:08 to send the teams into the intermission with an 8-1 score.

Michele, along with Burke, Robyn Pastuch (Madison, Conn.) and Katie Devaney (Fayetteville, N.Y.) continued the push for the Huskies in the second half by each scoring one in the opening 8:27 to give UConn its largest lead of the day at 12-1.

Fiore led the ensuing comeback attempt, scoring three of the game's next five goals to pull the Bobcats to within nine at 13-5. The momentum continued as Quinnipiac added two more to stand at 13-7 with 2:35 to play. UConn's defense then buckled down and Schwan added the icing to the cake with her second goal of the season at the :04 mark to give the Huskies a 14-7 win.

Though UConn did not earn a spot in the inaugural BIG EAST Tournament this weekend, several individual players will learn their postseason fate at the conference awards banquet Thursday night. All-BIG EAST teams and player of the year awards will be announced at this time.

2007-04-25