TicketsMarch 5, 2013
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CINCINNATI - Taylor Young scored the game-winning goal as the University of Cincinnati women's lacrosse team defeated Niagara University 12-11 in its home opener Tuesday afternoon at Nippert Stadium.
The Niagara Purple Eagles started off strong as Danielle Maio, Fran Pollastro, Carrie-Jo Farrugia and Brittany Delano scored the first four goals of the match. Bearcats redshirt senior Kylie Ramsland scored the first of her four goals to put the Bearcats on the board eight minutes into the match. Niagara then pushed their lead to 5-1 with Brittany Delano's second goal of the day. Ramsland and junior midfielder Young scored back-to-back goals for UC pulling the Bearcats within two goals (5-3).
Momentum shifted to Cincinnati until Fran Pollastro scored her second goal of the day to put the Purple Eagles ahead 6-3. Not to be denied, Meg Bell scored her first goal of the match, assisted by Ramsland; moments later Ramsland scored again to bring the Bearcats to within one goal (6-5).With 12 seconds left in the first half Danielle Maio scored for Niagara putting the Bearcats in the hole 7-5 at intermission.
From the first whistle of the second half, the Bearcats controlled the play. Almost four minutes into the half, Bell scored her second goal of the afternoon to make the score 7-6 in favor of Niagara. Less than a minute later, senior Katie Kiriazoglou put home her first goal to tie the match 7-7. Soon after the Bearcats tied it up, Kayla Smith scored to regain the lead for the Purple Eagles. Niagara would go on to score three out of the next four goals to take an 11-8 lead.
With 3:46 to play, Young scored to make the score 9-11; less than 30 seconds later Ashley Helmrath scored on a Courtney Curtis assist. After a Niagara timeout Bell controlled the draw for UC and with 2:31 to play in regulation, she scored her third goal of the contest to tie the score 11-11. Niagara controlled the draw and moved down the field but with 1:12 to play Carrie-Jo Farrugia turned the ball over and UC's Katelyn Wettig scooped the ground ball.
With 3.2 seconds remaining in regulation, Young scored her third goal of the afternoon to give the Bearcats the 12-11 victory.
Ramsland led UC with a match-high four goals. Bell and Young followed with three goals, while Helmrath and Katie Kiriazoglou each chipped in one goal. Freshman goalkeeper Meg Gulmi faced 22 shots and had six saves with 11 goals against her.
As a team, the Bearcats had 16 draw controls and out-shot the Purple Eagles by 35-22, with 21 shots on goal.
With the win, the Bearcats move to 2-1 while Niagara drops to 0-5.
Next up for UC is a home contest on March 14 against Liberty University. First draw is set for 2 p.m. at Nippert Stadium.