NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion lacrosse team (3-3) fell to American 11-10 in the 2017 home opener on Saturday, March 11, at the L.R. Hill Complex. Five consecutive American goals allowed the Eagles (1-5) to edge past the Lady Monarchs in the second half to claim their first win of the season.
Connor Carson collected three goals in the opening 30 minutes to lead the ODU scoring. Katie Miller and Sophie Richie added two goals apiece while Natalie Ledwitz, Morgan Marrale and Lauren Irvine each contributed a goal for the Lady Monarchs.
Marrale led the team in assists with two, while Megan Topper and Miller added one each. Maggi Buckley tallied six saves while giving up 11 goals and is now 3-3 in the net for the Lady Monarchs.
Mary Katherine Maloney and Ledwitz led the team with three ground balls each, while Richie scooped up three draw controls. Maloney also led the team with two caused turnovers.
American was led by Sarah Bootman who had a team-high three goals for the Eagles. Fiona Geier tallied 11 saves giving up 10 goals on her way to collecting her first win in net.
American opened the scoring just 28 seconds into the game on a goal from Sarah Bootman to go up 1-0. The Lady Monarchs answered with a 4-1 run over the next ten minutes spurred by a Carson free position shot. Marrale scored her first lone goal of the game in the 13th minute of play to extend ODU’s lead 5-2.
Old Dominion closed the first half scoring three goals while giving up two to enter halftime with an 8-4 lead.
The second half opened with the two teams trading goals through the first 15 minutes of play. Lauren Irvine scored the last ODU goal with 15:28 remaining in the second half putting the Lady Monarchs up 10-6 before the Eagles scored five consecutive goals to come back and win the game.
The Lady Monarchs return to action on Wednesday, March 15, in game two of their four-game home stand, as they host the Tribe of William and Mary. First draw is set for 5 p.m. and the game is the ODU SAAC ‘Championship Effort’ game and ODU student-athletes are encouraged to attend.
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