FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Courtesy of Lasell Athletics Communications
GLASSBORO, N.J. – In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Lasell College women's soccer team fell short to Rowan University 2-0 Saturday evening in Glassboro, N.J. The Lasers cap yet another tremendous season at 13-5-4 overall, while the Profs advance to round two at 14-2-2.
In an evenly matched battled, possession was split throughout the entire 90 minutes of post-season play. Rowan broke open the scoring in the 28thminute when junior Maxine New (Clayton, N.J.) took a long-range rocket of a shot that sunk into the upper 90 of Lasell's netting. A second spurt of opportunity came minutes later when Profs' sophomore Danni Kitzinger (Sewell, N.J.) fired back-to-back shots on frame, one ricocheting off the pipe and the other one saved by a sprawling sophomore keeper Sarah LaClair (Belchertown, Mass.).
Lasell continued with its high-pressure offense, as freshman Erika Badger (Scituate, Mass.) sent in a perfect cross off a corner kick, however the Profs' defense got there first to keep the hosts out of trouble.
In the 38th minute, Rowan freshman Cathryn McCarthy (Sewell, N.J.) cut through the Lasers' defense and netted the second host of the game 2-0 as the two teams headed in for the halftime break.
After 15 minutes of rest, the Lasers came out with momentum on their side and dominated the second half. The offense drew two penalty kicks early on, both taken by junior Devon Day(Hartsdale, Vt.), that were just short of Lasell's first point. Lasell played with composure and purpose, as junior Mack Kingman (East Bridgewater, Mass.) worked the midfield to set up Day for a shot on goal that was robbed by Rowan freshman netminder Shelby Money (Vineland, N.J.).
With nine minutes to go in regulation, McCarry peppered the visitors' defense with rapid-fire shots to frame. LaClair punched out the first before senior Sarah Jones (Duxbury, Mass.) made a clear out from the keeper line.
LaClair finished a sharp outing in net with eight saves for the Lasers, while Money recorded three saves in the victory.
Despite Lasell's second-half dominance, the Profs used their first-half goals to advance on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament to be held on their home turf today at 5:00 p.m. vs. reigning champion Lynchburg College.