TicketsApril 30, 2010
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Laura Simanski recorded a career-high and school record seven goals but the University of Cincinnati (5-11, 0-7 BIG EAST) lacrosse team lost in overtime, 16-15, at Villanova (8-7, 1-6 BIG EAST) in BIG EAST Conference action on Friday evening.
Villanova scored first before UC rattled off four straight goals. Simanski scored an unassisted goal and followed that will a goal from Katie Kiriazoglou. Kiriazoglou fed LB Zinkand next and MacKenzie Parsons scored on a free position attempt.
The Wildcats fought back with three goals until Zinkand scored an unassisted goal, giving UC a 5-4 advantage. Villanova took a 7-5 lead with three more goals but the Bearcats scored two in the final 24 seconds of the half, one from RachelMercier and another from Simanski, assisted by Natalie Starvaggi.
With the score tied at seven, Villanova found the back of the net first in the second half. Starvaggi passed to Simanski and Kiriazoglou found Marissa Pierson but the Wildcats countered each time, keeping the score tied, 9-9. Ali Mattingly assisted on a Simanski goal and gave UC a two-goal cushion, 11-9, with an unassisted goal but Villanova scored on two free position attempts to knot the score again. Simanski and Starvaggi traded goals with VU and the Wildcats took a 14-13 lead with 7:35 to play. Kiriazoglou scored from Ali Mattingly and Simanski tallied her final goal of the game, from Starvaggi, giving the Bearcats a 15-14 advantage with 5:45 to play. Villanova tied the score with eight seconds remaining and scored the only goal in overtime, earning the win.
Cincinnati scored its 15 goals on 23 shots and won the draw control battle, 19-17. Katherine Russo finished with 10 saves in goal for the Bearcats. Each team finished with 34 fouls and 18 turnovers.
It was UC's second straight overtime game and third of the 2010 season. Cincinnati will finish the season at Rutgers in a BIG EAST game on Sunday, May 2, at noon.