Box Score
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – St. Bonaventure scored twice in the final five minutes to post a stunning 2-1 win over LaSalle on Friday afternoon at McGraw-Jennings Field.
Lauren Hill and Molly Curry scored to put the Bonnies on the victorious side of a game that had for long stretches been controlled by the Explorers, the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic 10 Conference.
It was the third consecutive win for coach Steve Brdarski's club, which evened its A-10 record at 3-3 to bolster its postseason hopes.
After a fairly even first half, LaSalle held possession in the St. Bonaventure end for much of the second half. The Explorers finally broke through with just over eight minutes left when a shot ricocheted off a defender right to Deja Davis, who blasted the ball past Bonnies' keeper Megan Junker.
Less than a minute later, Hill tied the game when she beat two LaSalle defenders to a crossing pass from Alyssa Lapp and put it into the open goal.
The game appeared headed for overtime, but Abby Maiello threaded a lead pass through two LaSalle players to Curry, who raced ahead and flicked a shot just past outstretched LaSalle keeper Katie Getzinger.
"More than anything after (LaSalle) scored, we got angry," said St. Bonaventure coach Steve Brdarski. "Our first goal was fighting spirit. We made the extra pass, (Hill and Lapp) beat defenders and willed the ball in. The winning goal, Abby (Maiello) saw the opening, made a perfect pass and then Molly (Curry) got between the ball and defender and scored. I cannot be more excited for our team."
St. Bonaventure was able to survive two scoring chances by the Explorers in the first half. The best came when A-10 leading scorer Kelsey Haycook got free on a breakaway but Junker slid out and forced a wide shot. Haycook has 13 goals on the year to lead LaSalle, which is the second-highest scoring team in the A-10.
St. Bonaventure improved to 6-8-1 overall. Â LaSalle fell to 10-4-2 overall and 2-2-1 in conference play.
St. Bonaventure will play its final home game of the year this Sunday, Oct. 27, when it entertains Saint Joseph's at 1:00.