BALTIMORE - A Loyola College rally fell short at fog-shrouded Diane Geppi-Aikens Field, where Rutgers recorded a 14-13 victory in Big East Conference women's lacrosse.

The Scarlet Knights took control with three straight goals early in the second half, and Kristen Anderson scored what proved to be the game-winner with 4:02 remaining.

Kate Fillipelli and Abby Rehfuss responded with goals that drew the Greyhounds within one with 1:47 remaining. Mary Heneberry won the ensuing draw, but Loyola (2-5, 1-1) tgwas unable to get off a game-tying shot, twice losing possession on turnovers.

“We fought hard and finished hard,” Loyola coach Kerri O'Day said, of her team's comeback. “I'm proud of the way we finished the game.”

Filipelli, Rehfuss, Grace Gavin and Colleen O'Keefe had three goals apiece for the Greyhounds. Gavin and Rehfuss are freshman, as is Loyola goalie Meg Steffe, who registered 11 saves.

Anderson and Nina Frankoski each had four goals for Rutgers (1-4, 1-0), and Brooke Cantwell had three.

The Scarlet Knights scored in the opening minute, but a 3-goal spurt that included two goals by Gavin gave the Greyhounds a 5-3 advantage midway through the first half.

Loyola took a 6-5 lead on Filipelli's free position shot 15 seconds before the break, but Rutgers opened the second half with a 5-1 run that featured three goals by Anderson.

The game had six ties, before Frankoski's transition goal put the Scarlet Knights ahead to stay at 8-7 with 22:55 remaining. Two goals by Anderson gave Rutgers the first of its four three-goal leads, at 10-7, but Loyola responded to each of those deficits.

Goals by O'Keefe and then Gavin got the Greyhounds within 12-11 with 7:38 left, but Francoski scored for Rutgers and goalie Emily Penn thwarted Loyola on two free position chances in less than a minute.

O'Keefe, a junior, needed just four shots to get her three goals. The Greyhounds' six assists were distributed among as many players. It was third meeting between Rutgers and Loyola, and the first win by the visiting team.

Loyola concludes a four-game homestand March 15, against another Big East foe, Connecticut. Game time at Diane Geppi-Aikens Field is 1:00 p.m.

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BALTIMORE, MD. (March 8, 2008) – The Rutgers women's lacrosse team opened its BIG EAST campaign with 14-13 win over Loyola (Md.) Rutgers (1-4, 1-0) picked up its first victory of the season and gave the Greyhounds (2-5, 1-1) their first BIG EAST loss of 2008.

Six Scarlet Knights found the back of the net as RU recorded its highest score of the season. Junior Nina Frankoski (Maplewood, N.J.) broke out of her scoring slump with four goals. Freshman Kristen Anderson (Wading-River, N.Y.) also recorded four goals, while Brooke Cantwell (Moorestown, N.J.) tallied three goals and Meghan Flanagan (Medford, N.J.), Michelle Poole (Long Valley, N.J.) and Mallory Tornetta (Frazer, Pa.) each found the back of the net once. Sophomore Mary Cryan (Newtown Square, Pa.) led RU with three assists, while Flanagan had two and Anderson, Poole and Marley Welsh (Jarrettsville, Md.) each finished with one. Goalie Sandra Abel (Monrovia, Md.) recorded 11 saves, her fourth consecutive game with 10 or more stops.

Rutgers trailed 6-5 at the half but opened the second stanza with a 5-1 run to take a 10-7 lead. The two teams traded goals until Anderson scored to give RU a 14-11 advantage. Loyola scored twice to pull within one, the last goal with 1:47 to play, but RU's defense held strong. Three players scored three goals apiece for the Greyhounds, Grace Gavin, Abby Rehfuss and Colleen O'Keefe.

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2008-03-08