April 21, 2009
Final Stats
VILLANOVA, Pa. - An unassisted goal from Meg Ohlmacher with 2:35 left on the clock in regulation lifted Lafayette (2-14) to a 14-13 victory over Villanova (7-8) in a women's lacrosse game played here on Tuesday evening at Villanova Stadium.
The night began with picture perfect weather - clear skies and temperatures in the mid-60s. Villanova quickly seized on the good vibrations of its senior night ceremonies held in the pregame to honor Justine Feinman, Taylor Lucy, Taryn McKenna and Katie Stone. The Wildcats jumped out to a 5-1 lead that was capped by a Lucy score with 15:44 to go in the half on a free position shot.
But the Leopards battled back, notching seven goals from seven different players over the rest of the half to grab a 7-6 advantage. A Lucy goal with 30 seconds left in the half off a pass from junior Erica Rybinski evened the game at 7 at intermission.
The mild weather conditions changed drastically in the second half. With a storm front moving in, temperatures dipped and the wind gusted between 20 and 30 miles per hour, affecting play. Sophomore Rachel Lasda staked VU to a 9-7 lead with a pair of goals in the first 1:13 of the new period and, after Lauren Brown answered for Lafayette, the Wildcats got two more goals, one from sophomore Carly Miller and another from Rybinski to build an 11-8 lead with 18:48 left in the half.
But the Leopards reeled off the next four straight goals, including a pair from Brown, to grab a 12-11 lead with 12:48 remaining. McKenna tied it at 12 with 9:23 left before Michaela Corn put the Leopards back in front at 13-12. McKenna scored another goal with 2:59 to go to even matters at 13 before Ohlmacher gave Lafayette the lead with 2:35 to go.
Villanova manufactured two quality scoring attempts in the final minute but was unable to produce the equalizer.
McKenna led VU with four goals - she now has 109 in her career - while Lasda added three. Rybinski contributed two goals and a pair of assists while sophomore Maggie Langan made seven saves in net for Villanova. Brown led Lafayette with five goals.
Villanova wraps up its regular season on Saturday afternoon when it visits Bryant at 1:00 p.m.
