TicketsApril 28, 2013
CINCINNATI- The University of Cincinnati women's lacrosse team (7-9, 1-7) defeated Rutgers University (9-8, 1-7), 9-8, Sunday afternoon for its first BIG EAST Conference victory in program history. The victory was sealed on a game-winning goal by senior Katie Kiriazoglou (Abingdon, Md./John Carroll) with 18.5 seconds to play. The Bearcats' seven victories this season tie the most wins in program history.
Before the start of the game, UC's six seniors, Maddie Fink (Alpharetta, Ga./Chattahoochee); Kiriazoglou; Marissa Pierson (Sykesville, Md./Century); Adrianna Piontek (Mason, Ohio/Mason); Kylie Ramsland (Catonsville, Md./Chapelgate Christian Academy); and Katelyn Wettig (Street, Md./North Harford), were honored for their accomplishments and commitment to the team.
The first half was highlighted by the Bearcats' defense, as they held Rutgers to four goals on 10 shots. Freshman goalkeeper Meg Gulmi (Syosset, N.Y./Syosset) recorded five saves in the first half for Cincinnati.
The Bearcats jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. The scoring went back-and-forth for the remainder of the first period, and the Scarlet Knights took a 4-3 lead at the half.
Rutgers jumped out to an 8-5 lead in the second half, but the Bearcats responded with back-to-back goals by Pierson and Kiriazoglou. With just over three minutes to play, Ramsland put the ball in the cage to tie the game 8-8.
Kiriazoglou caused a Rutgers turnover and picked up the ground ball with less than a minute to play, and with 18.5 seconds on the clock, she scored the game-winning goal to give UC its first BIG EAST victory in program history.
The Bearcats held the Scarlet Knights scoreless in the final 9:51 of the game to seal the victory.
Gulmi recorded seven total saves for the Bearcats, and Kiriazoglou led the Bearcats' offensive attack with three goals. Megan Bell (Baltimore, Md./Hereford), Ramsland and Taylor Young (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) recorded two goals apiece, while Pierson scored once for the Bearcats. Ramsland also contributed two assists.
As a team, the Bearcats outshot the Scarlet Knights 19-17 and picked up 12 ground balls. UC also scored on 4-of-9 free-position shots and caused seven Rutgers turnovers.
The win over Rutgers marks the end of the 2013 season for the Bearcats under first-year head coach Gina Oliver. This year the Bearcats scored 144 goals, controlled 172 draws, caused 115 turnovers and picked up 220 ground balls. UC also had the lowest goals against average in program history, allowing 12.41 goals per contest.