KENNESAW, Ga. – The Old Dominion women’s lacrosse defensive unit held Kennesaw State scoreless in the second half, as the Monarchs posted a 19-4 win over the Owls on Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The team improved to 10-4 overall and 3-1 in the Atlantic-Sun Conference, while KSU fell to 4-10 and 1-2 in league play.
Morgan Marrale got ODU on the board first just 59 seconds into the contest with her 12th goal of the year, but the Owls responded two minutes later after Lucy Mills found the back of the net at the 26:52 mark.
Jessica Liberty gave the Monarchs the lead that they never let up at the 25:48 mark after she recorded her first goal of the contest. Christina Rea added to the Monarchs’ lead with a tally 1:11 after Liberty scored to give ODU a 3-1 lead.
The Owls once again pulled within one goal (3-2), as Sydney Farwick scored off a free-position shot, but Megan Topper notched a goal at the 14:16 mark to bring the lead back to two (4-2). Mary Margaret McCaleb also scored for ODU to bring the score to 5-3 in favor of the Monarchs at the 9:26 mark.
KSU would get two goals down the stretch, but ODU closed out the first half with two unanswered goals to take an 8-4 lead into the intermission.
The Monarchs came out of the locker-room on fire, scoring two goals from Colby Muller and Megan Cameron in a span of 40 seconds to take a 10-4 lead by the 28:51 mark.
ODU’s defense continued to stifle the Owls’ offense, holding them to just one shot in the first 11 minutes. The Monarchs, however, continued to attack and scored four more goals, this time from Connor Carson, Liberty, Marrale and Muller, to take a 14-4 lead by the 19:00 minute mark.
The final 14 minutes proved to be no different, as the Monarchs allowed just six Owls’ shots and tacked on five more goals. The Monarchs scored an unanswered 12 goals since they scored at the 2:41 mark in the first half and marks the first time this season ODU has held its opponent scoreless in the second half.
ODU once again dominated the shot chart, recording 39 shots to KSU’s 19. The Monarchs also held a 16-9 advantage in draw controls and forced 19 Owls’ turnovers. Carson and Cydney Tutchton led the team with five draw controls apiece, while Morgan Gallagher had a team-high three caused turnovers.
Maggi Buckley earned the win and finished with seven saves on the day. Elaine Senft suffered the loss, making 12 saves in her 43:15 minutes of action.
Liberty notched a team-high four goals for ODU, while Topper add three goals of her own. Carson, Marrale, McCaleb and Muller also chipped in with two goals each.
Mills, Farwick, Albertson and Stairs notched the four goals for Kennesaw State. Mills also added four ground balls and two draw controls.
The Monarchs will be back in action on Saturday, April 11 when they travel to Furman for a 12:00 pm contest.
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