April 6, 2008

Final Stats

Loudonville, N.Y. - Seven Saints posted multiple goal performances and the defense surrendered the fewest goals in nearly three full years as the Siena women's lacrosse team captured their first conference win of the season in defeating Niagara 18-6 this afternoon in Buffalo, N.Y. Junior captain Lindsey Rosecrans notched a hat trick as the Saints improved to 3-7 overall and 1-1 in the MAAC.

Rosecrans started the scoring just over a minute in. After Niagara's (2-5, 0-2) Leigh Downing tied the score at 1-1 moments later, the Saints would take the lead for good.

Freshman sensation Caitlin Mikel, who leads the team in scoring this season, put the Saints in the lead to stay at the 23:49 mark. The tally sparked a spurt of seven unanswered goals, all by seven different goal scorers, as the Green and Gold built an insurmountable 8-1 advantage late in the first half.

Downing scored her second goal of the game to pull the Purple Eagles within 8-2 heading into the half, but Niagara would never get within six goals the rest of the way.

In all, ten Saints recorded goals in an all around strong team effort. In addition to Rosecrans' three tallies, Erin Hepper, Lynn Harkins, Alexandra Kain, Courtney Highsmith, Catherine Quinlan and Erin Montgomery each added two goals.

Freshman goalie Liz Peters posted six saves in goal for her third career win, while Allie Primo aided the Saints' stellar defensive efforts with a team best three groundballs and three caused turnovers.

The six goals allowed were the fewest by a Siena team since they allowed five in a double overtime win at Iona on April 16, 2005.

Siena out-shot Niagara 31-16 and committed a season-low eight turnovers while forcing the Purple Eagles into 17 miscues.

The Saints return to action Friday afternoon for their conference home opener against Iona. Game time is slated for 4 p.m.