THREE PLAYERS CHECK IN WITH HAT TRICKS AS WOMEN’S LACROSSE TOPS PFEIFFER, 14-12

Box Score vs. Pfeiffer - March 28, 2009

ANN ARUNDEL, Md. (Mar. 28, 2009) – Tied at 10-all with just over 13 minutes left in the second half, junior midfielder Kristie Sosnowski (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) and senior attacker Erin Brady (Long Beach, N.Y.) notched a goal each to give the Molloy College women’s lacrosse team a 12-10 advantage. From that point, the Lions never looked back as they beat the Falcons of Pfeiffer University by a 14-10 final in Ann Arundel, Md. With the victory, Molloy extended its winning streak to two games, and improved to an overall record of 4-3.

Sosnowski’s goal came off a feed from sophomore attacker Maria Varricchio (Massapequa, N.Y.) at the 13:26 juncture, while Brady hit the netting at the 11:34 mark. Senior defender Kelly LaClair (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) was credited with the assist on her tally. After that, Pfeiffer (7-4) twice cut the deficit to one goal, but was unable to tie the score prior to the game’s end. Junior midfielder Heidi Karaszkiewicz (Glen Burnie, Md.) and freshman attacker Tory Binder (Woodstock, Md.) accounted for the scoring for the Falcons.

Trailing 6-4 with four and a half minutes left in the first half, Pfeiffer posted three unanswered goals to go into the break ahead by a one-goal margin at 7-6. Senior midfielder Kelly McConnell (Woodbridge, Va.) recorded the first two goals on passes from senior attacker Krissy Bentolila (Potomac, Md.). Karaszkiewicz ended off the burst with a score from the free position. McConnell and Karaszkiewicz amassed four goals apiece on the day.

Molloy started the second half with three scores from inside the eight-meter line. Brady, Sosnowski and junior midfielder Lori Sollitto (Wantagh, N.Y.) each put free-position shots by Falcons’ freshman goalkeeper Caitlin Ryan (Perth, Australia). Pfeiffer answered by notching three of the next four goals, which knotted the score at 10-up. Sophomore attacker Sarah Hebberd (Golden, Colo.) sparked the burst with a marker on an unassisted effort. Karaszkiewicz and Bentolila followed with back-to-back goals at the 15:12 and 14:00 mark, respectively.

Sollitto, Sosnowski and junior attacker Rebecca LaFlare (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) finished with three tallies apiece. Sosnowski also won 13 draw controls and two ground balls. Varricchio picked up three points on one goal and two assists. Brady was the fifth Lion player to pick up three points (2 G, 1 A) as well. LaClair totaled five draw controls, three ground balls and one assist. Sophomore midfielder Hayley Lacey (Levittown, N.Y.) raked a goal and two ground balls. Senior goaltender Alicia Frisch (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) turned aside eight shots.

For the Falcons, Bentolila collected five points on two goals and three assists. Hebberd and Binder amassed a goal apiece. Hebberd also recorded one ground ball and one caused turnover. Sophomore defender Amanda Smith (Leesburg, Va.) earned four ground balls. Sophomore midfielder Alexandra Cook (Commack, N.Y.) contributed two caused turnovers and one ground ball. Junior defender Jessica Turner (Franklin, Tenn.) accumulated three ground balls. Ryan finished with a total of eight saves on the day.

Overall, Molloy held a 33-24 edge in shots and a 21-6 margin in draw controls, while Pfeiffer owned a 19-12 advantage in ground balls. In clear attempts, the Lions were a perfect 11-for-11 (100.0 percent). The Falcons were close to being flawless as they posted a 91.7 (11-for-12) clear percentage. Within eight meters, MC was successful 50.0 percent (4-of-8) of the time. Meanwhile, Pfeiffer was 3-of-4 (75.0 percent) on free position shots.

Head Coach Tom Campolettano and the Lions return to action tomorrow when they end off their Maryland trip against Belmont Abbey College. The opening draw is scheduled for 1 p.m.