March 30, 2008
Final Stats
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -
Despite a combined 12 points by seniors Brenna Houghton and Kimberly Ross, the St. Bonaventure women's lacrosse team suffered yet another heartbreaking loss on Sunday afternoon, this time, a 10-9 double overtime decision to Saint Joseph's.
It marks the team's third one-goal loss and second overtime defeat in the last week. The Brown and White's two losses by a combined three goals this weekend brings their record to 1-7 on the season and 0-2 in the Atlantic 10.
The first six-minute overtime period belonged to senior goalie Eboni Preston as she kept the Hawks off the board with three saves. Saint Joseph's controlled most of the play with seven shots total compared to two from the Brown and White.
After St. Bonaventure controlled the opening possession of the second overtime, the ball was owned by Saint Joseph's. The Hawks peppered Preston with two quick shots, but the senior was up to the task, stopping both. The second save brought Preston out of the net with the ball and Saint Joseph's was able to cause her to turn it over, leaving the net open.
Saint Joseph's Jessica Westlake alertly fired a shot on net, but Preston quickly got back to make the remarkable kick-save. Though the save was good, Preston was outside the goal crease and called for a body ball foul. The result was prime scoring chance for the Hawks as Abby Renninger found Jenna Martino for the game-winning goal with 43 seconds left in the second overtime.
Preston finished the game with 16 saves, highlighted by six in the overtime periods.
The combination of Houghton and Ross hooked up for five goals on the afternoon, including two in the final six minutes of regulation to force overtime. Ross tied a career-high with seven points on three goals and a career-best four assists. In the midst of her career afternoon, Ross became the ninth player in program history to surpass 100 career points. Houghton's five points come on her third hat trick of the season and two assists. She is now just three assists away from 100 for her career.
The first half was an offensive struggle for St. Bonaventure as it managed just one goal in the opening 30 minutes. As a team, Saint Joseph's wasn't much better, but received a three goals straight goals from Christina Colangelo to help take a 4-1 lead at the break.
The initial 10 minutes of the second half featured more goals than the entire first frame as each team hit the back of the net three times for a 7-4 score. The Bonnies accounted for the first two goals of the half as Ross found freshman Christine Hanley for the first tally and converted a free position shot for the other.
St. Bonaventure finally started to make a dent in the Hawk lead with back-to-back goals to cut it to 7-6. Sophomore Patty Nessle notched her second straight goal on a free position shot, while Ross found Houghton for the second time in the game for the team's sixth goal of the game.
The Hawks were able to up their lead to 9-7, using a pair of goals before and after another Houghton and Ross combo for a goal.
The duo was far from done, as Houghton found Ross on a pair of occasions down the stretch to tie the game at 9-9 and force overtime. The final goal came with just 54 seconds left after Keri Vito caused a turnover to give the ball back to the Bonnies. Houghton then found Ross on the right wing for a close-range goal.
The Bonnies had a chance to win the game in regulation after senior Stephanie Jordan pulled-in the ensuing draw control. The offensive possession resulted in a good look for sophomore Molly Hastrich who put her shot on cage, but it was saved.
St. Bonaventure will return to McGraw-Jennings Field for a pair of Atlantic 10 matchups next weekend. The Brown and White will begin with a 3 p.m. tilt on Friday, April 4, against Richmond and will conclude on Sunday against George Washington.
