University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
at Duquesne
Friend Sisters Lift No. 9 Women's Lacrosse Over Duquesne, 11-10
04/14/2006 | Women's Lacrosse
April 14, 2006
PITTSBURG, Pa. - Junior Ashley Friend and sister Mandy Friend each netted four goals to lead the ninth-ranked University of Richmond women's lacrosse team to an 11-10 victory over the Duquesne Dukes in a rematch of last year's A-10 Championship game on Friday afternoon at the Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field. Sophomores Jenna Hubbard and Claire Cunniff and senior Sara Allen joined the sister act with one goal apiece as the Spiders (12-2 overall and 4-0 in A-10 play) earned their 11th consecutive win and second-straight over the Dukes (7-4, 0-2 in A-10).
Although the Dukes took a 2-0 lead at 21:54, Spider head coach Sue Murphy called a timeout and got her squad headed back in the winning direction. Just over four minutes later, M. Friend converted a free position shot for her first of four goals of the afternoon, while sister A. Friend followed with her first of four goals off a free position shot to knot the game at 2-2 the 16:07 mark.
While, Duquesne's Ashley Wood quickly responded with an unassisted goal to once again lift the Dukes a goal ahead of the Spiders, Richmond's Allen converted a free position shot to even the score with just over 10 minutes left in the first half. Although the Dukes were able to put in one more goal before the half, the Spiders went on a four-goal run to take a 7-4 lead at halftime. M. Friend put in the first goal to spark the run and tied the game at 4-4, while sister A. Friend followed with a pair of goals, and Hubbard concluded the run with a goal off an assist from M. Friend.
On a desperate attempt for a second half comeback, the Dukes came out and put in two goals in the first five minutes before the Spiders' Cunniff and M. Friend would convert free position shots to secure an 9-6 advantage for Richmond. Duquesne then took a 10-9 lead over the Spiders with just 4:19 left in the contest after scoring four unanswered goals; however, the Spiders' sister act kicked into gear and lifted Richmond over the Dukes. M. Friend knotted the contest at 10-10 after converting a free position attempt; and then Allison Nuzzi assisted A. Friend on the game-winning goal with just 25 seconds left in the game as the Spiders continued their perfect Atlantic 10 winning streak.
Spider keeper Jackie Swansburg came up with eight saves in goal after facing 25 Dukes' shots. Spider senior Caroline McGuire led the team with five draw controls, while Nuzzi led all Spiders with five ground balls.
The Spiders will continue up north to Olean, N.Y. for a contest with the St. Bonaventure Bonnies on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
