April 4, 2008

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Megan Brennan scored with :47 seconds left in the fourth overtime to lift Monmouth (8-3) past Villanova (3-7) in a women's lacrosse match played here on Friday evening. The Wildcats had rallied from a 10-4 deficit in the second half to force overtime.

In its last outing the Wildcats jumped to a 6-0 edge en route to a 15-7 triumph over LIU. This time, they fell behind to the Hawks. Monmouth tallied the game's first five goals, including a pair from Ashley Waldman before senior Stevie McFadden got the `Cats on the board off a feed from Rachel Lasda with 12:56 remaining in the first half. Junior Katie Stone then drew VU to within 5-2 when she scored a goal off a McFadden pass at 9:15.

Monmouth picked up two more goals before halftime, though, to Villanova's one - by junior Taryn McKenna on a free position shot - to take a 7-3 advantage into the halftime break.

When the Hawks scored three of the first four goals in the second half to build a 10-4 cushion, it appeared the Wildcats would have a difficult time pulling even. But Villanova responded with six unanswered goals, including four in the final 2:24, to knot matters at 10. McFadden got the equalizer off an assist from McKenna with 21 seconds left in regulation, setting off a wild celebration on the sidelines.

The contest remained tied at the end of the second half.

Megan Nutter gave the Hawks an 11-10 lead with two seconds left in the first overtime on a free position shot. But Villanova responded in the second overtime when freshmen Lasda and Rachael Ponge combined for a goal (Lasda got the assist, Ponge the score). The second overtime ended with the game tied at 11.

In the third overtime, sudden death took effect. Monmouth appeared to have a golden opportunity in the third period but Rachel Feirstein - who scored four goals - could not beat `Cat goalie Cassie Eure at point blank range.

The stalemate was finally broken when Brennan earned a free position shot from six yards in front of Eure. Her shot eluded the Villanova sophomore and Monmouth picked up the hard-fought victory.

Villanova looks to bounce back on Sunday afternoon when it hosts Mount St. Mary's at 2:00 p.m.