Lady Jaspers on Fire, Defeat LIU
Liz Palusevic
Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: Sports
|
Despite the noticeable absence of sophomore starter Tara Convery, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, the Lady J's played one of their best games to date. Junior Caralyn Hickey led the squad with five crucial goals, while Freshman Chrissy Gutenberger posted four of her own. Sophomores Julia Lavelle and Phelicia VanOverbeke added three a piece to guarantee the tremendous Lady Jasper victory.
Gutenberger started off the half by scoring the first goal of the game only five minutes into play, followed by goals from Lavelle and freshman BrieAnna Spatarella.
The Lady J's continued their run with two more goals from Lavelle and VanOverbeke, forcing LIU to call a timeout in efforts of hindering MC's 5-1 lead. The timeout did not seem to affect the girls as freshman Liz Dugan, VanOverbeke and Gutenberger netted three more goals, increasing MC's lead to 8-3.
Junior goalkeeper Ally Brown lead the Lady Jaspers defense, coming up with 14 saves for MC. Senior captain Julie Wilson and the rest of the defense were key in the victory, holding the Blackbirds to only three goals in the first half of play.
Coming off the break, the Lady Jaspers started off the half with a purpose, scoring five unanswered goals in the first ten minutes of play from Lavelle, Gutenberger, Hickey and junior Helen Kerrisk.
LIU was forced again to call a timeout in a last ditch effort to get themselves together, but it was not enough to slow down MC's scoring streak. Gutenberger posted her fourth goal, while VanOverbeke added a third to her tally, bringing the Lady J's ahead by 12.
This lead wasn't big enough for Hickey, as she overtook the remaining thirteen minutes of play, netting four more goals for the Lady Jaspers, two of which were assisted by sophomore Cristina Tarulli. The Blackbirds were only able to get one more goal in on MC's spectacular defense, but this would be their final goal of the day as Manhattan came out on top with a huge 19-4 victory.
"I'm really excited about the win. It was a true team effort and I'm really proud that we could step it up and play together after losing Tara (Convery) in the midfield to an injury," Hickey said.
"It's a real confidence booster for us…definitely a much needed victory," sophomore Ashley McHale said.
With the win the Lady J's advanced their record to 3-1 (as of Sunday). The team returns to Gaelic Park on Friday when they will face off with Robert Morris University at 7 p.m.