#20 Stevenson University - 9 , Farmingdale State - 8
Owings Mills, MD - The Farmingdale State women's lacrosse team fell just short in a 9-8 season opening non-conference loss at #20 Stevenson University this afternoon.
With 26:41 remaining in the first half, Stevenson (3-3) broke the scoreless tie on a goal by senior midfielder Amanda LeGar (Eldersburg, MD) off the pass from Kellie McLaughlin (Frederick, MD). The Mustangs increased their lead to 2-0 less than three minutes later on a score by freshman attack Hollie Larrimore (Easton, MD).
After Stevenson increased their advantage to 4-0, Farmingdale State (0-1) sophomore midfielder Brittany Rosino (North Babylon, N.Y.) netted the pass from Nicole Marzocca* (North Babylon, N.Y.) to cut the deficit to 4-1.
The Mustangs led 6-1 but the Rams used goals by Rosino and senior midfielder Christy Thoden* (Bayport, N.Y.) to close the half and head into the break trailing 6-3.
Only 4:01 into the second half, LeGar scored her second goal of the contest to put Stevenson ahead by four, 7-3.
With 20:09 remaining, Thoden scored as Marzocca recorded the assist the pull the Rams within three. An unassisted goal by Rosino, her third score of the game, cut the deficit to 7-5 with 13:37 left to play.
Only 4:10 later, Farmingdale State closed within one on an unassisted goal by senior midfielder Alyssa Handel (Medford, N.Y.). The Rams continued their second half momentum when junior midfielder Kristine Minogue (Miller Place, N.Y.) scored the game tying goal with 8:20 left to play.
The Mustangs used a Kathryn Merrick (Forest Hill, MD) goal with less than seven minutes remaining to regain the lead, 8-7. Another score put Stevenson ahead by two but the Rams used a Kristen Ranaldo (Commack, N.Y.) goal off Marzocca's pass with 2:47 left on the clock to again pull within one, 9-8.
Farmingdale State was unable to score over the final 2:47 as Stevenson held on for the one goal victory.
Marzocca finished with a game-high five assists, while Rosino tallied three goals on four shots. Thoden scored two goals, caused two turnovers and had seven draw controls for Farmingdale State.
Sophomore goalkeeper Krista Spagnoletta (West Islip, N.Y.) had 17 saves for the Rams.
Stevenson was led by Merrick, LeGar and Olivia Monteiro (New Milford, Conn.) who each scored a team-high two goals.
Farmingdale State next will travel to Randolph-Macon for a non-conference game on Tuesday, March 17th at 4:00 p.m.
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