TOWSON, Md. ? The Tigers (6-4, 0-1) were hoping to repeat the success against William & Mary that led them to the Colonial Athletic Association title last year as the two teams opened their conference slate on Friday evening at Unitas Stadium. However, the Tribe (5-5, 1-0) had other ideas and got revenge for the title game loss by posting a 12-9 victory over the defending champions.
Sophomore attacker Ashley Holofcener scored four goals, including three in the first half, as the Tribe earned their second win in the last three games while avenging last year's 16-7 loss against Towson in the CAA Championship Game.
“This was a big game for both teams and it was disappointing for us to lose tonight,” Towson Coach Missy Doherty said. “William & Mary is one of the strongest teams in the conference and we did some things to give the game away.
“Turnovers really hurt us and we didn't finish our opportunities when we had them,” Doherty added.
After Holofcener gave the Tribe a 1-0 lead just over six minutes into the first half, the Tigers scored three straight goals to take a 3-1 advantage with 14:07 left in the opening stanza. Junior midfielder Nikki Marcinik tallied two assists in the spurt while three different players scored a goal.
But, the Tribe responded by scoring five of the next six goals for a 6-4 lead at the intermission. Holofcener and sophomore defender Molly Wannen each scored two goals during the Tribe's run.
The teams opened the second half by trading goals twice before the Tribe tallied three of the next four goals for a 12-7 advantage with 2:22 left. Junior attacker Mary Zulty scored a goal with an assist during the spurt.
With 1:32 left, the Tigers began a comeback attempt when freshman midfielder Katie Cloud scored on a free-position shot. Just 12 seconds later, senior midfielder Cassie Krause converted a Marcinik feed for her fourth goal of the season, cutting the Tribe's advantage to 12-9. But, the Tigers were unable to get any closer.
While Holofcener scored four goals to lead the Tribe offense, Zulty added a goal with two assists. Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Geary made nine saves, including five in the second half, for the Tribe, who were playing on the road for the first time since March 17.
Marcinik scored two goals and added three assists for the Tigers while Cloud added two goals. Junior attacker Jacie Kendall added a goal with two assists, extending her point-scoring streak to 13 straight games.
The Tigers will finish their six-game homestand on Sunday afternoon when they host Old Dominion University at Unitas Stadium at 1 p.m. The Lady Monarchs opened their CAA schedule with a 9-8 loss at Delaware on Friday afternoon.
College Women's Lacrosse: College of William & Mary 12, Towson University 9
William & Mary (5-5, 1-0) 6-6 / 12
Towson (6-4, 0-1) 4-5 / 9
Goals: W&M ? Ashley Holofcener 4, Molly Wannen 2, Mary Zulty 1, Grace Golden 1, Julia Martin 1, Sarah Jonson 1, Katherine Rees 1, Sally Roberts 1; TOW ? Nikki Marcinik 2, Katie Cloud 2, Jacie Kendall 1, Cassie Krause 1, Steph Taylor 1, Britt Woodfield 1, Jess Dunn 1. Assists: W&M ? Mary Zulty 2, Grace Golden 1, Julia Martin 1; TOW ? Nikki Marcinik 3, Jacie Kendall 2, Meggie McNamara 2. Saves: W&M ? Emily Geary 9 (60:00, 9 goals allowed); TOW ? Mary Teeters 6 (60:00, 12 goals allowed). Shots: W&M ? 27; TOW - 27. Free-Position Shots: W&M ? 1 for 1; TOW ? 2 for 6. Attendance: 576.
Post-Game Notes:
· Friday's game between the Tigers and the Tribe marked the 14th all-time meeting between the two teams ... The Tribe extended their series lead with Friday's victory and now hold an 8-6 edge against the Tigers.
· The Tigers dropped to 3-4 at home this season ... It was the fifth straight home game for the Tigers, who are now 2-3 on the current six-game homestand.
· With her two assists against William & Mary on Friday night, senior attacker Meggie McNamara became the fifth player in school history to reach 150 career points ... She enters Sunday's game against Old Dominion with 151 career points.
· McNamara also extended her point-scoring streak to 10 straight games, tallying an assist in all 10 games during the streak ... However, her eight-game goal-scoring streak was snapped against William & Mary.
· Kendall has scored a goal in four straight games and has a point in 12 consecutive games ... The last time she was held without a point was against Old Dominion on April 20 of last season.
· Senior midfielder Britt Woodfield extended her goal-scoring streak to five games with a goal in the first half.
· Krause has a goal in three straight games and extended her point-scoring streak to four straight games.
· Cloud had her first career multi-goal game against the Tribe with a two-goal effort ... In addition, she tallied multiple points for the second game in a row.
· Junior midfielder Steph Taylor has scored a goal in back-to-back games.
