TicketsFeb. 21, 2014
DELAND, Fla. - Megan Bell found the back of the cage six times, while shattering the single-game record for draw controls, as the UC lacrosse team downed Stetson, 17-5, on Friday night in Florida.
Bell (Parkton, Md./Hereford) netted six goals and a pair of assists for eight points in the win. The junior captain also won 13 draws, picked up a pair of ground balls and caused three turnovers. She tied the school record for both goals and points in a game, while setting a program best in draw controls.
The Bearcats (1-1) also got four goals from Ashely Helmrath (Ellicott City, Md./Maryvale Preparatory) and a hat trick from Michelle Platz (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Urusla/UMBC). Helmrath added a pair of assists. Taylor Young (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) also found the back of the cage twice.
UC got single goals from Courtney Curtis (Mason, Ohio/William Mason) and Elaina Enich (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany). Curits also contributed an assist to the effort.
Sophomore goalie Meg Gulmi (Syosset, N.Y./Syosset) made two saves to pick up her first victory of the season. Jennifer Walsh (East Setauket, N.Y./Ward Melville) made a pair of saves in relief.
The Hatters (0-4) got a hat trick from Christina Loya, who also recorded an assist. The other two Stetson goals came from Ana Baranowski and Mallory Tluchowski. Caili Guilday made four saves in the cage, while Whitney Meyers made five saves in relief.
The Bearcats came out firing, with Bell netting the first goal just 46 seconds into the game. She followed with another 18 seconds later before Enich, Platz, Helmrath and Young all scored to build the UC lead to 6-0, just over 10 minutes into the contest. The Bearcats found the back of the cage 10 times before allowing the first Hatter score with just 49 seconds left in the first half.
Cincinnati took a 12-1 advantage into the break, outshooting the Hatters 21-5 in the opening 30 minutes. The Bearcats ended up with a 29-16 advantage in shots, putting 24 of their 29 shots on the cage. UC also converted on five of nine free position attempts.
Bell becomes just the second Bearcat to register eight points in a contest. Katie Kiriazoglou accomplished the feat four times. Bell joins Laura Simanski as the only UC players to find the back of the cage seven times in a game. Simanski netted seven goals on April 30, 2010, against Villanova. Bell's 12 draw controls shatter the previous record of eight, with Kylie Ramsland and Rachel Mercier seeing their mark fall.
Head coach Gina Oliver and her squad remain in the Sunshine State for their next contest, a Sunday, Feb. 23, showdown with No. 7/5 Florida. The opening draw is set for 11:30 a.m. ET.