April 20, 2007
Final Stats
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. -
It was a day of firsts for the St. Bonaventure women's lacrosse team.
Fueled by the emotion of playing their first true home game of the season and pregame senior ceremonies, the Bonnies held visiting Temple to just one goal in the second half en route to an 8-7 win at McGraw-Jennings Field.
The win was St. Bonaventure's first-ever over the Cherry and White, breaking a nine-game losing streak. The win also kept the Bonnies atop the A-10 standings at 4-0, marking the best start to conference play in program history.
"This a great win for our team and our two seniors," said head coach Tony Zostant. "It was a good win not only because we've never beaten Temple, but because it will prove to be huge in the Atlantic 10 postseason race."
Junior goalie Eboni Preston made one crucial save after another down the stretch, holding Temple to just 2-of-7 on free position shots. The reigning A-10 Co-Player of the Week finished the game with 14 saves, her sixth-straight double figure save outing.
"Eboni's play was solid between the pipes and she did a great job of keeping her composure down the stretch," Zostant said on Preston's performance. "She's worked very hard this season and put in extra time to make herself even better. Her play today was indicative of the time she's put in."
The Bonnies took the lead just 31 seconds into the contest as sophomore Katelyn Faas found the back of the Temple of the net. Freshman Patty Nessle followed up just minutes later with a free position goal to make it 2-0.
Trailing 3-1 after a goal by junior Kimberly Ross, Temple responded with a 3-0 run to take its first lead of the game, 4-3, with 8:45 left in the half.
Again, it was Ross getting this going as she broke a 15-minute scoreless streak for the Bonnies with her second goal of the game. Just minutes later, junior Brenna Houghton found Faas camped in front of the TU cage to give the lead back to the Brown and White, 6-5, with 6:38 remaining.
Temple regained the lead and the momentum with two goals in just 28 seconds in the final minutes of the half to take a 6-5 edge at the break.
After both teams exchanged several possessions, St. Bonaventure finally found some rhythm of the offensive end. Houghton's goal 5:43 into the final frame started a three-goal spurt over a three-minute span for the Bonnies, giving them a 8-6 lead. Faas and Ross complete their hat tricks with unassisted goals to finish the scoring.
Temple's Allison Frengs made it a one-goal contest, 8-7, with 19:52 remaining as she netted her third goal of the game.
Over the final 19 minutes the Owls got off eight shots, including three free position shots, but were unable to beat Preston. The New Windsor, Md. native turned away six of those shots to guide the Bonnies to their sixth win a row.
For the game, Temple outshot St. Bonaventure 30-26 and held a slight edge in draw controls, 9-8.
Faas and Ross each finished with hat tricks to lead the Bona goal scorers. Houghton tallied a goal and one assist, while Nessle had the other score.
Seniors Robin Mason and Eileen Gagnon were honored prior to the start of the game. Mason finished with two draw controls and two ground balls.
St. Bonaventure will return to McGraw-Jennings Field for its final home game of the season on Sunday against UMass. Draw time is slated for noon.
