May 7, 2005

Box Score

Brookville, N.Y. - The Adelphi University women's lacrosse team overcame a 10-4 first-half deficit to edge C.W. Post, 13-12, in its regular season finale. Senior Katherine Hock recorded five of her game-high six goals in the second half to lead the Panthers.

After a slow start, the Pioneers struck first as Ashley Gilroy scored on a free position shot in the 12th minute. Seconds later, Post extended its lead to 2-0 as Mallory Poole raced down the field after the draw control to find the back of the net. Junior Meghan Blume put the Panthers on board on a feed from junior Dawn Anslemin at 17:44. Post again took advantage of a fast brake with Coleen Agostinacchio firing a shot past Adelphi's Grace Monjardo at 17:22. Anselmin connected with sophomore Lauren Lopez in the 17th minute to keep the Panthers within two, 4-2. The Pioneers rallied on a 6-0 run to open a 9-2 lead. Hock and Lopez each scored with a Post goal sandwiched in between in the final 50 seconds. The Panthers found themselves trailing 10-4 at intermission.

"I knew we were really going to have to work hard to get back into the game," Head Coach Jill Lessne said. "We've been known to come back from being down."

Blume opened the second half on an unassisted goal in the 31st minute. Adelphi scored two more goals, capped by sophomore Diana Lopez on an assist by sophomore Tara Grodotzke with 18:27 remaining. The Pioneers answered with two consecutive goals to push their lead back to 12-7 at 12:17. This would prove to be the last goal for C.W. Post as Hock tallied four of the last six goals for the Panthers. With 4:42 on the clock, Hock knotted the scored, 12-12, on a free position shot. Diana Lopez set up the final shot with just four seconds on the clock as she attempted to pass the goal to a waiting Hock in front of the net. The ball hit the back of C.W. Post's goalie Lauren Scipione and rolled into the net as the buzzer sounded.

The key in the second half for Adelphi was domination of the draw control possessions, with junior Jessica Marra and Grodotzke combining to help the Panthers to an 8-3 advantage over the Pioneers.

Monjardo collected eight saves for the Panthers, including several key saves in the second half. Scipione registered 14 saves for C.W. Post.

This afternoon's come from behind victory was reminiscent of the 2004 NCAA Championships when the Panthers rallied from a 6-1 first half deficit to defeat West Chester University, 12-11.

"Post was definitely aggressive and persistent with their shooting and scoring", Lessne said. "Now we play Stonehill."

Adelphi improves to 14-1 on the season, while C.W. Post falls to 12-4. The Panthers win should solidify a NCAA Tournament berth. The NCAA will announce the Division II selections on Sunday night. The brackets will be posted on ncaasports.com.