TicketsMarch 14, 2013
CINCINNATI -- The Bearcats' women's lacrosse team defeated the Liberty University Lady Flames, 7-3, Thursday afternoon at Nippert Stadium, led by goalkeeper Meg Gulmi's 12 saves and a balanced scoring attack. The win marks the first time the Bearcats have won at least three games in a season since 2010.
Seven minutes into the game, Taylor Young scored her first of back-to-back goals. Her second goal would come eight minutes later and start a Bearcat run that would decide the game. Sarah Del Bene put a shot behind Liberty goalie Kristen Masullo (eight saves) for her first career goal as a Bearcat. Less than one minute later, Ashley Helmrath scored her fourth goal of the season, assisted by Courtney Curtis, to put the Bearcats up 4-0.
On the defensive end of the field, Meg Gulmi held down the fort with seven first half saves. As the first half was winding down, it appeared Cincinnati would take a 4-0 lead to the locker room at halftime. Bearcats senior attacker Maddie Fink had other plans, scoring with one second left in the half to push UC's lead to 5-0 at the intermission.
In the second half Kylie Ramsland, who was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll on Monday, scored eleven minutes into the second half to stretch the Cincinnati lead to 6-0. Less than a minute later, Liberty answered with a goal from attacker Sam Struss. Liberty would score again a few minutes later on another goal from Struss, on an assist by Amber Nichols to bring the Bearcats' advantage to 6-2 with just over 15 minutes to play.
The Lady Flames' final push to come back was thwarted by the Bearcats' solid defensive play. Marissa Pierson would score her second goal of the year to stretch the Bearcat lead to 7-2. Liberty would score again, as Kelly Belue snuck a free-position shot past the Bearcats' defense, but it was too little too late. The Bearcats would go on to secure their third win of the season, 7-3 over the Lady Flames.
Young scored a match-high two goals, while Ramsland, Del Bene, Helmrath, and Fink each chipped in one goal. Kelsey Conway and Young each grabbed a game-high four ground balls, helping the Bearcats record 17 ground balls for the match.
As a team, the Bearcats outshot the Lady Flames 20-17 and had nine caused turnovers. Young recorded four caused turnovers, the second most in a single game in program history. The Lady Flames ended the match with 19 turnovers.
Next up for the Bearcats (3-2) is a home contest against Presbyterian on Sunday, March 17. Start time is set for 12 noon at Nippert Stadium.