March 25, 2007

Final Stats

ALFRED, N.Y. - The St. Bonaventure women's lacrosse team overcame a six-goal first half deficit to force overtime but came up short in the extra frame falling to Ohio St. 15-14 on Sunday afternoon at Merrill Field.

The Buckeyes (4-2) were led by Kristen Slahor who had nine points on three goals and six assists. The loss is the third in a row for the Bonnies as they slip to 1-4 on the season.

Ohio St. dominated play for much of the first half, scoring the first five goals of the game to help build a comfortable 10-4 advantage with just two minutes remaining in the first half.

Led by the crisp passing of junior Brenna Houghton, St. Bonaventure found its rhythm of the offensive end over the final 2:14 of the half. The Bonnies ripped off three-straight scores as Houghton found classmates Kimberly Ross and Stephanie Jordan along with sophomore Katelyn Faas to make it 10-7 at the break.

Momentum stayed with the Bonnies to start the second half as they climbed to within one, 10-9, just three minutes in. Houghton found Jordan for her second goal of the game, while freshman Patty Nessle finished a feed from Faas for the second score.

Ohio St. used ball control to slow down the Bona attack over the next ten minutes while it stretched its lead back to three, at 12-9.

St. Bonaventure continued to storm back and with 9:52 left took its first lead of the game at 13-12 on Ross' fourth goal of the contest. Her goal capped a 4-0 Bona run that featured goals from freshmen Nicole Mahoney and Lynsey Wagner . The Buckeyes tied the game at 13-13 a minute and half later, but Houghton took the lead back for the Bonnies with 6:33 left with her second unassisted goal of the game.

Ohio St. rallied once more and tied the game again on a goal by Natalie Miller with 5:24 remaining. Miller's goal proved to be the last during regulation as both teams struggled to hold onto the ball down the stretch.

In overtime, the Buckeyes struck just 17 seconds in as Slahor dished out her sixth assist of the game to Megan Levins for the eventual game-winning goal. The Bonnies were able to put one shot on net in the extra frame before Ohio St. regained control of the ball and held on for the victory.

For the game, St. Bonaventure held a slight edge in both shots (32-29) and draw controls (17-16).

Houghton had a team-high six points in the loss, while Faas finished with five points, highlighted by a career-high three assists. Ross' four goals tied her career-high.

Junior Eboni Preston went the distance in cage, making 10 stops on the afternoon.

St. Bonaventure was originally scheduled to host Canisius on Wednesday, but due to unplayable field conditions at McGraw-Jennings Field will now take on the Golden Griffs at the Demske Sports Complex on Tuesday at 8:45 p.m.