TicketsMarch 1, 2014
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. - The University of Cincinnati lacrosse team couldn't heat up in the cold weather and dropped a 12-6 decision at Niagara on Saturday afternoon.
The Bearcats (1-3) got a pair of goals from Courtney Curtis (Mason, Ohio/William Mason) and Ashley Helmrath (Ellicott City, Md./Maryvale Preparatory), as well as single goals from Kelsey Conway (Laurel, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) and Michelle Platz (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula). Helmrath also assisted on two of the goals, while Megan Bell(Parkton, Md./Hereford) helped on the other.
The Purple Eagles (1-1) were led by a hat trick from Taylor Wolf and a pair of goals each from Erin Patenaude, Kayla Smith and Carrie-Jo Farrugia. Patenaude also contributed an assist. Niagara goalie Andrea Francisco made 11 saves in the effort.
After falling down, 5-1, early in the half, the Bearcats closed out the period strong thanks to Curtis. The sophomore found the back of the cage twice in the final three minutes, the first on a feed from Bell and the second on a pass from Helmrath, to pull UC within 5-3 at the break.
The shots were nearly even in the first half, with UC out-shooting the Purple Eagles, 13-12. Niagara won eight of the nine draws in the opening half.
The Purple Eagles kept it up in the second half, winning 10 more draws to prevent UC from starting a rally. For the game, Cincinnati out-shot Niagara, 26-24. The Bearcats also held a 25-19 advantage in ground balls. UC's Meg Gulmi(Ellicott City, Md./Maryvale Preparatory) made four saves in taking the loss.
Next up for the Bearcats is a two-game trip through the Palmetto State for games at Winthrop (Friday, March 7) and Presbyterian (Sunday, March 8). That will wrap-up the season-opening six-game road trip before UC plays its first home game on Friday, March 14, versus Coastal Carolina.