Rosemont, Pa. – The Rosemont College women's lacrosse team (2-5, 1-3 CSAC) scored more goals than they have ever scored in their previous games against the visiting Notre Dame of Maryland University Gators (4-2, 3-2 CSAC) this afternoon, but it wasn't enough as the Gators went on to defeat the Ravens 13-8 on the turf of the Ravens Athletic Complex.
The Ravens' defense was had difficulty stopping a flurry of early Gator goals as Notre Dame took a 6-0 lead with 16:39 left in the first half. A free-position goal from Kerry Hars would get the Ravens on the board, but the Gators would answer with two more to take an 8-1 lead with 4 ½ minutes left in the half. Trailing by seven goals, the Ravens started to click on offense with two more goals from Hars sandwiching the first goal of the season from Jennifer South to put the Ravens within striking distance as the half ended with Rosemont trailing the Gators 8-4.
Notre Dame would make a statement to start the second half when they scored a goal with 28:46 on the clock to up their lead back up to five goals, 9-4. But the Ravens would put together another rally. A Kristy Evans goal from Hars was followed by two goals from rookie Nicole Goodwin, the last during a man-down situation, to pull Rosemont to within two goals, 9-7 with 22:25 left on the clock. The Ravens had momentum and could realistically see their way out of the deficit at this point.
But the Gators had other plans. Notre Dame's Butto Sawyer would score two of the next three straight Gator goals to up their lead back to five goals at 12-7 with just under 16 ½ minutes left to play. There was sufficient time left on the clock, but that time would dissipate faster than the Ravens would have liked. Ali Osorio scored on a free-position shot to make the score 12-8, but by that point there were less than nine minutes remaining.
The Gators were able to run out the clock and to score one more goal to account for the final score.
Kerry Hars would score a hat trick to lead the Ravens with four points altogether. Nicole Goodwin added two goals for Rosemont.
Notre Dame's Butto Sawyer was the Gators' best player, netting seven for the visitors. Hannah Frederick and Brittany Peddicord each scored two goals for the Gators.
The nine goals scored by Rosemont were the most scored against Notre Dame since the rivalry started. The next highest offensive score for the Ravens against NDMU was six goals on 4/16/2013.
The Ravens return to the field on Monday, 4/6, when they travel to play the Cedar Crest Falcons in Allentown, Pa. in another CSAC contest. The start time is scheduled for 4:30pm.
