March 15, 2008
Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The 10th-ranked Commodore women's lacrosse team dropped its third straight game Saturday, falling to visiting New Hampshire, 10-7, on a stormy afternoon at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex.
Heavy rain and wind made field conditions somewhat sloppy throughout most of the game. With a one-goal lead midway through the second half, New Hampshire moved into a stalling offense and would score a pair of late goals to ice the game. The final three-goal margin was the largest lead of the game for either team.
Vanderbilt took its only lead at 1-0 when sophomore Sarah Downing opened the scoring five minutes into the game. New Hampshire's patient attack would tally two unassisted goals in the next five minutes to take a 2-1 advantage. VU senior Margie Curran, who moved into second place all-time in points at Vanderbilt on Wednesday, tied the game at 2-2 less than a minute later.
New Hampshire outscored Vanderbilt, 5-3, in the final 12 minutes of the first half to take a 7-5 advantage into the break. The second half saw a drastic deceleration as weather conditions worsened. Junior Cara Giordano got the Commodores within a goal with 20 minutes left off an assist from Curran.
When the Wildcats regained possession, Vanderbilt's defense pressured out to try and cause a turnover. The Commodores allowed UNH's Susie Piotrkowski to score a pair of goals in the final 10:30, while Wildcats goalkeeper Ashley Miller used a total of 12 saves to keep her team ahead.
Senior Sasha Cielak caused three turnovers and picked up five ground balls as the VU defense gave the Commodores a chance to comeback, but Vanderbilt's attack was stoned by Miller. The Commodores converted only 2-of-7 free-position shots on the day.
Saturday's game was the second of a four-game homestand for the Commodores. Vanderbilt will welcome Cornell (March 17) and Penn State (March 23) to Nashville in the coming week.
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