Temple University Athletics
Women's Lacrosse Drops Season Opener to Rutgers, 16-9
2.25.09 | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 25, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Senior Brittney Hoffman, sophomore Nicholle St. Pierre and freshman Karly Cohen scored two goals each, but it was not enough as the Temple women's lacrosse team dropped its season debut 16-9 to Rutgers from Geasey Field on Thursday afternoon.
Freshman Keelin Hood, freshman Melissa Schweitzer and sophomore Ann Stouffer all added goals for the Cherry and White in defeat. Hoffman also added an assist.
Seven of Temple's nine goals on the day came off of free position shots.
Trailing for most of the game, the Owls never quit, scoring three goals in a four minute span in the second period, bringing the score to 15-9 with 6:08 left to play in the game. But that would be as close as the Cherry and White would get, with the Scarlet Knights' adding one last goal in the final minute, bringing the game to its 16-9 final.
The game was decided by the Scarlet Knights during a four-minute period stretching across the very end of the first period and the start of the second period. After back-to-back goals by Hoffman and Cohen in the final minute of the first half cut the Rutgers' lead to 5-3, the Scarlet Knights' Mary Cyran scored with just :01 second remaining, extending the lead to 6-3.
The Scarlet Knights carried that momentum into the second half, scoring three goals in the first two minutes of the second half, taking a commanding 9-3 lead and never looking back.
Brooke Cantwell and Annie McGinley each scored four goals for Rutgers, while Meghan Flanagan added a school-record seven assists.
On the defensive end for the Cherry and White, junior Jessica Colucci recorded 11 saves in goal. Hoffman, Stouffer and junior Alis Incarnato each forced three turnovers.
The Owls return to action this Sunday when they host California from Geasey Field. Play is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m.
