Moraga, Calif. - The Long Island University women's lacrosse team picked up its first win of 2008 with a 15-11 victory over Saint Mary's on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Annie Kalata (Nesconset, N.Y.) scored four goals to lead the way, while sophomore Christie Wienckowski (Newton Square, Pa.) added two goals with four assists. A total of seven Blackbirds scored goals on the afternoon.

The Blackbirds struck first and jumped out to a 4-1 lead with a pair of goals from Kalata sandwiched around scores by senior Sam Fischbeck (Baltimore, Md.) and Wienckowski. Saint Mary's rallied with three straight goals to even the score at 4-4 with 10:30 left in the period.

The teams traded goals before junior Allison Funk (Lumberton, N.J.) sparked a run of four consecutive goals for LIU. Freshman Sarah James (Springfield, Pa.) sandwiched a pair of goals around Kalata's third of the day to make it 9-5 with 0:19 left in the first period. The Gaels' Abbie Coleman scored with 12 seconds left to make it 9-6 at the intermission.

James finished off her hat trick with a goal at the 28:54 mark before the Gaels scored just over a minute later. The Blackbirds responded with a run of five straight goals to build a comfortable cushion. Freshman Gabrielle Gorbey (Ridley Park, Pa.) scored an unassisted goal to start the run, followed by goals from Fischbeck and Kalata, which were both assisted by Wienckowski. Sophomores Kristina Scheerer (West Chester, Pa.) and Jenna Schauder (Jackson, N.J.) added goals to make it 15-7.

Saint Mary's (0-8) attempted to rally in the final two minutes, scoring four straight goals to make it 15-11, but it was not enough to overcome LIU.

Schauder picked up seven groundballs and freshman Kimberly Bostwick (East Northport, N.Y.) turned away 14 shots to help LIU get the win. The Blackbirds held a slim, 33-32, advantage in shots.

The Blackbirds return to action on Monday, March 17, at UC-Davis with a 6:00 p.m. Eastern contest.

2008-03-15