University of Richmond Athletics
#19 Women's Lacrosse Falls to Towson 11-10
03/26/2004 | Women's Lacrosse
March 26, 2004
Towson, Md. - Senior Polly Purcell scored four goals but it wasn't enough as Towson University recorded an 11-10 victory over #19 University of Richmond in a non-conference game on Friday evening at the Johnny Unitas Stadium.
Freshman Shannon Witzel (Pottstown, Pa./Pottstown) opened the scoring for the Tigers early into the first period as she found the back of the net at the 26:35, however Richmond's senior Libby Berlacher (Villanova, Pa./Agnes Irwin School) answered back for the Spiders with a goal less than two minutes later (24:46) to tie the game at a 1-1 margin. Towson was unfazed by Richmond's trip to the net as the Tigers then went on a 4-1 run over the next 22:30 of action. During the Tiger's run, Trumbo and senior Amy Middleton (Morton, Pa./Ridley) each scored twice to give Towson a 5-2 advantage. With two minutes remaining in the period, the Spiders got two goals past Towson's goalkeeper, Jessica O'Connell (St. James, N.Y./Smithtown), as Berlacher scored a free position goal (2:16) and Kristen Habicht (Baltimore, Md./Parkville) took one unassisted to the net (1:02). The Tigers went into halftime with a slim 5-4 lead.
The Spiders dominated the beginning of the second half as sophomore Polly Purcell (Ellicott City, Md./Mt. Hebron) and McGuire then put Richmond out front 9-7 before Towson's Marshall (10:45) and Witzel (1:27) found the back of the net to tie the game for the third time (9-9) in the evening.
With just 1:16 left to play, Purcell connected with sophomore Allison Nuzzi (Baltimore, Md./Notre Dame Prep) to give Richmond the upper hand at 10-9, however a pair of Spider fouls in the final 23 seconds of the game allowed Towson's Trumbo a chance to convert a pair of free position attempts for the final 11-10 win.
O'Connell played a solid game for the Tigers as she made 11 saves in the goal. Sophomore goaltender Jackie Swansburg (Beverly, Ma./Governor Dummer Academy) stopped seven shots for the Spiders.
Goals: Towson - Becky Trumbo (4), Shannon Witzel (3), Caitlin Marshall (2), Amy Middleton (2); Richmond - Polly Purcell (4), Libby Berlacher (2), Caroline McGuire (2)
Assists: Towson - Shannon Witzel (2), Caitlin Marshall 1; Richmond - Allison Nuzzi 1
Shots: Towson 27, Richmond 26
Groundballs: Richmond 18, Towson 17
