University of Richmond
American
Women's Lacrosse Defeats American, 12-7
04/09/2003 | Women's Lacrosse
April 9, 2003
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senior Katie Dolan (Towson, Md.) scored four goals to lead the University of Richmond to a 12-7 win over American University this afternoon at Reeves Field. The Spiders improve to 7-5 on the year while American falls to 8-4.
In addition to Dolan, five other Richmond players tallied goals against the Eagles. Junior Libby Berlacher (Villanova, Pa.) added three goals and Polly Purcell (Ellicott City, Md.) netted two. Kristen Habicht (Baltimore, Md.), Kristy Gallagher (Chatsworth, N.J.) and Sara Allen (Rosemont, Pa.) each contributed one score. Purcell is currently ranked 15th in the nation in goals per game (2.82) and 18th in points per game (3.73).
AU was led by three goals by Rebecca Copeland and Gina Riitano. Kathleen Finnegan saved 16 shots for the Eagles.
American scored two goals within the first three minutes of play before Richmond was able to get on the scoreboard with a free position from Berlacher. The Eagles added two more tallies to take a 4-1 lead and the Spiders were forced to call timeout.
Richmond then netted three consecutive goals, Berlacher's second of the contest and two from Dolan, to knot the score at 4-4. The teams traded scores before Tara Michael registered an unassisted goal with 3:24 remaining in the first half to put the Eagles up, 7-6.
The Spiders dominated the second stanza, knotting the game less than three minutes in on a free position shot from Purcell. Habicht scored an unassisted goal with 24:54 remaining in the contest to give the Spiders their first lead of the afternoon and one they would not relinquish. Richmond added four more tallies in the match to take the 12-7 win.
The Spiders controlled every offensive category in the match, holding a 44-28 advantage on ground balls and a 17-4 margin in draw controls. The Eagles only took three shots in the second half, all of which were saved by freshman goalie Jennifer McGibbon (Acton, Mass.).
Richmond faces Atlantic 10 opponent University of Massachusetts on Sunday, April 13 in Amherst. Game time is set at 12:00 p.m.
