Lady Monarch Lax Downs Defending CAA Champions, 13-12
By ODU Athletics
March 31, 2006
NORFOLK, Va. -- In another thriller at Foreman Field, the Old Dominion women's lacrosse team opened up Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play by downing last year's defending CAA champions and preseason favorites, the Towson Tigers, by a score of 13-12.
The game, which improved ODU's overall mark to 4-3 on the season and 1-0 in league action, was the Lady Monarchs' second-straight win by a goal. The victory also snapped a seven-game CAA losing streak dating back to last season. Meanwhile, Towson falls to 4-5 on the year and 1-1 in CAA play.
Senior Sarah Lautenbach (West Chester, Pa.) came through with the game-winning goal with less than five minutes remaining in regulation off a feed from fellow classmate Melody Shotwell (Fairfax Station, Va.).
Shotwell went on to finish the afternoon with four goals and two assists. Junior Caroline Jacobs (Gaithersburg, Md.) collected three goals and two assists, while Lautenbach and freshman Jessica Noone rounded out the Lady Monarchs' multiple scorers.
Shannon Witzel, who ranks second in the CAA in goals per game, found the back of the net six times for the Tigers. Becky Trumbo added in four, while Meggie McNamara and Hillary Fratzke each registered a score. McNamara also collected two assists in the Tigers' loss.
The Lady Monarchs worked their way to a 3-1 lead early in the first half before the Tigers took over the lead by scoring five answered goals. Back-to-back nets by Witzel saw Towson hold on to a 6-3 advantage with 15:14 left in the first half.
Old Dominion proceeded to take of run of its own and recollect the lead. Five different Lady Monarchs got into the mix to as Old Dominion regained the lead, 8-6, with just over five minutes remaining in the half.
Witzel, however, netted three straight goals for the Tigers, giving Towson a 9-8 edge heading into the half.
Half number two saw the Lady Monarchs outscore the defending champions, 5-3. Shotwell tied the game up at 9-9 less than a minute into the second half, but Towson's Trumbo put Towson ahead again four minutes later. Less than minute later Shotwell found the back of the Towson net again followed by senior Tameka Davis (Washington, D.C.) finding the opening to give the Lady Monarchs a 11-10 lead with 14:36 left in the game.
Two of the afternoon's hot scorers did not allow Towson to go quietly though. Mere moments after Davis' goal, Witzel tied the game seconds after the draw followed by another Trumbo tally for a 12-11 Tigers edge..
A few costly turnovers gave Towson possession of the ball in the closing minutes of the game, however the Old Dominion defense would not allow a shot to come in the direction of the Lady Monarch net.
In net, Old Dominion's Michelle Gannon (Delmar, Md.) came away with nine saves, while her counterpart, Mandy Corry, made 11 saves in between the pipes.
Both Gannon and Jacobs scooped up four groundballs for the victors, while four different Tigers lead Towson. The Tigers' Fratzke found her way to a game-high seven draw controls, while sophomore Kelly Kimener (Oakton, Va.) led ODU with four. Jacobs also managed to lead the Lady Monarchs in caused turnovers with three, while McNamara led the Tigers with three caused turnover as well.
The Lady Monarchs will return to action on Sunday when they host Delaware at Foreman Field at noon. The Tigers travel to #14 William & Mary.