Towson, Md. – The fourth-seeded Drexel women's lacrosse team scored five goals in the final five minutes of play and looked to regain the lead over top-seeded Towson, but the Tigers' goalkeeper Mary Teeters made a big save in the last 14 seconds of the game to hold off the Dragons, 12-11, in the CAA Championship semifinals. Drexel outshot top-seed Towson, 21-19, and won 16 draw controls to the Tigers' nine. The Dragons finished the 2012 season 11-6 overall and tallied the most conference wins with four in program history. Friday's game also marked the second post-season appearance for the Dragons.

In the opening 40 seconds of the game, Charlotte Wood shot the ball past Towson's goalkeeper Mary Teeters, but the goal was quickly called back by the officials due to a crease violation. The Tigers pushed down the field following the call and scored an unassisted goal to give Towson an early lead. At 27:08, Jaclyn Klunder cut through the middle and shot the ball in the top left of the cage from Kelli Joran's pass to tie the game, 1-1.

Towson's Sarah Appelt fired the ball high, but the Tigers regained the loose ball and gained a 2-1 lead over the Dragons. Towson's Sarah Hogan scored a free position goal. Kristin Kopenhaver won the draw and then shot the ball through the goalkeeper's legs cutting the deficit to one, 3-2. Kelli Joran tied the game, 3-3, after Charlotte Wood fed her the ball from behind the cage.

At 17:10, Santandrea stopped a bouncing shot allowing the Dragons to work the ball down the attacking end. Following a Drexel turnover, Towson sprinted down field, but was unable to capitalize on the fast break. At 13:33, Maiden and Joran had a great give-and-go play, but Joran's shot was stopped by Teeters. 

With just under 11 minutes to play in the first half, Towson's Andi Raymond scored an unassisted goal to give the Tigers a 4-3 lead. At 5:59, Ashley Waldron received the ball in the middle from teammate Andi Raymond. Waldron shot the ball past the left side of Santandrea extending the lead to two, 5-3. With 16 second remaining in the first half, Santandrea stopped Waldron's free position shot.

In the opening two minutes of the second half, Towson's Sarah Appelt shot the ball into the top left corner of the cage, 6-3. At 25:55, Alyse Maiden scored an unassisted goal to cut Towson's lead to 6-4. Less than three minutes later, the Tiger's Andi Raymond scored from Kelly Custer's pass. Towson's Olivia Turner doubled the lead, 8-4, from Raymond's pass. The Dragons had a multiple shots on goal, but were blocked by Teeters. Towson went on to score two more goals.

At 12:18, Charlotte Wood scored a free position goal closing the gap to five, 10-5. At 9:57, Drexel's Julia Lanzetta knocked the ball out of Appelt's stick during her free position attempt, but Towson recovered the ball and tallied a goal, 11-5. A minute later, Lindsey Kovar broke through the Tigers' defenders and fired the ball into the cage. With just over six minutes remaining, Towson's Rhiannon Coogle scored an unassisted goal.
 
Kristin Kopenhaver answered back with an unassisted goal, 12-7. At 3:41, Alyse Maiden shot the ball past Teeter's. Following the draw, Charlotte Wood knocked in another goal for the Dragons closing the gap to three, 12-9. Kelli Joran pulled around Towson's defender and shot the ball to the top right of the cage.

The Dragons played tight defense and was able to regain possession breaking up a Towson play. At 1:33, Wood scored an unassisted goal, 12-11. Kristin Kopenhaver causes a turnover with 22 seconds left and passed the ball down field to Charlotte Wood. Wood fed the ball to Kelli Joran, but Joran's shot in the last 14 seconds was stopped by Teeters. Towson held possession until the game clock expired.

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Powered by four goals apiece from sophomore Melanie Sarcinello and freshman Caitlyn Brostrand, the La Salle lacrosse team defeated Villanova, 13-9, on Wednesday evening at Villanova Stadium.

La Salle improves to 6-2 on the season, while the Wildcats fall to 1-5.

Senior Megan Corliss made six saves in goal.

Junior Lauren McDermott had four points on the evening for the Explorers with a hat trick and an assist.  Senior Nora McGurkin controlled four draws and also added two assists.

The Explorers once again got out to a good start as they have done in their past several contests.

Nearly three minutes into the game, Brostrand added her first tally of the night, an unassisted goal.  McDermott her first goal on the evening off a feed from McGurkin and then Sarcinello and junior Jackie Roebuck scored to make it 4-0 in favor of the Explorers with 17:41 remaining in the first.

Villanova added two goals in the next three and a half minutes to cut La Salle's lead to 4-2.

The scoring stalled for both teams for the next ten minutes before Sarcinello added a goal off a pass from junior Taylor Ruland from behind the cage at the 5:47 mark.  Freshman Maggie O'Ferrall took a McGurkin feed to the net to give the Explorers a 6-2 lead at the break.

Sarcinello and Brostrand each added a pair of goals after the half to give La Salle its largest lead of the game at 10-2 with 20:30 left to play.

The Wildcat's Justine Donodeo, who added five goals in the game, scored twice to make the score 10-4 in favor of the Explorers with 17:58 on the clock.

Brostrand and McDermott added goals for La Salle to keep the Explorers with a 12-4 lead by the 11:39 mark.

The Wildcats would close out the final ten minutes of the contest on a 6-1 run, but the Blue and Gold hung on for the win 13-9.

The series between the two schools is now even at 7-all.

La Salle will play its final non-conference game against San Diego State at McCarthy Stadium on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

Hamilton, N.Y. – The Drexel women's lacrosse team scored eight unanswered goals in the second half to earn the program's first victory over the Colgate Raiders, 12-6, on Saturday afternoon at Tyler's Field. The Dragons had 24 shots to Colgate's 16 and held a 13-6 advantage in draw controls. Senior attacker Charlotte Wood led the team with five goals and helped the Dragons overcome a 4-4 tie at half. The win ended Drexel's two-game losing streak and improved its overall record to 3-2, while the Raiders dropped to 0-4 on the season.

Drexel's Lindsey Kovar set a new season-high with three assists and six points. She also tied her season-best with three goals and two caused turnovers. Kovar went 2-4 in free position attempts.

Colgate's Alison Flood took advantage of an early Drexel foul and scored a free position goal to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead with just under three minutes into the contest. At 16:01, Monica White scored off a pass from teammate Amanda O'Sullivan to extend the lead to two, 2-0. Drexel's Kristin Kopenhaver won the following draw control and advanced down the field causing two Colgate fouls. Lindsey Kovar scored an unassisted goal cutting the lead in half, 2-1. The Raiders' Courtney Miller scored two minutes later, but Kovar answered back with a free positiong goal, 3-2.

With 10:27 remaining in the first half, Charlotte Wood tied the game from Kovar's pass, 3-3. Kovar looked to score a free position goal, but hit the post. Colgate put pressure on the Dragons' attack and recovered the ball. The Raiders' Courtney Miller followed with a successful free position attempt to take back the lead, 4-3. Kovar found Wood again for quick goal before the first half expired, 4-4.

The Dragons opened up the second half with eight unanswered goals to hold off the Raiders until the clock expired. Sophomore Amanda Norcini started the rally after scoring a free position goal. During Drexel's eight-goal run, Wood had three back-to-back goals in the second half and finished with five on the day. Sophomore goalkeeper Amanda Santandrea recorded the win. She made four saves and now has 22 overall. Santandrea also set a new season-high with three ground balls.

The Drexel women's lacrosse team returns to action on Wednesday, March 7 at 4:00 p.m. on the Dragon's home turf at Vidas Field.

Philadelphia – With just three games into the 2012 season, the Drexel women's lacrosse team falls to Hofstra, 15-9, in an early conference match-up held at Vidas Field on Thursday night. The Pride held a slim 27-24 advantage in shots, but their 10 second-half goals was enough to secure the win. Drexel's Alyse Maiden tied her season-high with four goals and six total points. Drexel dropped to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Hofstra's Jill Maier won the opening draw control and powered down the field. She scored an unassisted goal with just under a minute into the first half. The Pride went on a four-goal rally, but Drexel's Kristin Kopenhaver won the next draw control and looked to score the Dragon's first goal, but hit the post. Alyse Maiden finished the play with an unassisted goal. With 15:21 remaining in the first, Maiden followed with a free position goal to bring the game to two, 4-2.

Following a Hofstra clear, Brittain Altomare scored from teammate Maryann Miller's pass. Drexel continued to pressure on the Pride. With four seconds left in the first half, junior midfielder Kelli Joran scored off of a pass from Charlotte Wood. The visiting Pride led by two, 5-3, at half.

Maiden opened up the second half with her second free position goal to bring the game within one, 5-4. Hofstra's had back-to-back goals to extend the lead to three. Charlotte Wood received a pass from Maiden for a quick goal, 7-5. The Dragons were unable to pull ahead despite putting six points on the board in the second half. Hofstra's three-goal spurt in the final five minutes of play helped the Pride edge Drexel, 15-9.

Sophomore goalkeeper Amanda Santandrea made a pair of saves in the opening 27:17 of the game. Freshman Teresha Bradley set a new season-high with four saves. Bradley now has 10 saves on the season. Hofstra's Jaclyn Pandolf made seven saves for the win.

The Drexel women's lacrosse team returns to action on Saturday, March 3 at 1:00 p.m. against Colgate. This marks the first away game of the 2012 season.

Philadelphia – No. 11 Penn edged the Drexel women's lacrosse team, 18-8, at Vidas Field on Saturday afternoon. The Quakers outshot the Dragons, 31-15, and won 11 draw controls to Drexel's five in the first half. Junior Alyse Maiden led the attack with three goals in the loss. The Dragons are now 2-1 overall, while Penn improves to 1-0.

At 27:19 in the first, senior Charlotte Wood gave Drexel a 1-0 lead after a turnover by Penn's Courtney Tomchik. The Quakers won the next draw control and pushed the ball down the field. Penn's Lizzy Price tied the game just 10 seconds later, 1-1, after receiving a pass from teammate Meredith Cain's. The Quakers went on a three-goal run, 3-1.

Drexel's Alyse Maiden scored an unassisted goal and lessened the deficit to one goal, 3-2. Penn had two free-position goals by Maddie Poplawski and Erin Brennan giving the Quakers a 5-3 lead. Kelli Joran fed the ball to Amanda Norcini for a Drexel score. A minute later, Joran scored an unassisted goal to tie the game, 5-5. Penn continued win draw controls and went on a five-goal spurt as the first half came to an end. The Quakers led 10-5 at half.

The Dragons put pressure Penn's defense in the opening minutes of the second half. At 28:20, Maiden shot the ball past Penn's Emily Leitner and looked to create momentum for Drexel. Two minutes later, Penn's Tory Bensen extended the lead back to five, 11-6. The Quakers' went on another scoring streak and held onto the lead until time expired. Maddie Poplawski had four goals and won nine draw controls for Penn.

Goalkeeper Amanda Santandrea made five saves in the cage, while freshman Teresha Bradley had three stops in the final 18:39 minutes of play in the game. Santandrea has a total of 16 saves on the season.

The Drexel women's lacrosse team hosts the Hofstra Pride on Thursday, March 1 at 4:00 p.m. in the Dragons' first Colonial Athletic Association game of the season.

Philadelphia – The Drexel women's lacrosse team trailed by the three goals as the first half came to an end, but their six unanswered goals in the second half helped the Dragons edge George Washington, 15-10, in the 2012 season opener held at Vidas Field. George Washington had a slim 26-22 advantage in shots, but gave up 13 turnovers to Drexel's six. The Dragons' defense held the Colonials to just two goals in the final half, handing George Washington its first loss of the season.

Six different Dragons scored on Sunday. Sophomore midfielder Amanda Norcini recorded a new career-high with four goals. Teammate Alyse Maiden also knocked in four goals, which tied her season high. Redshirt freshman Alissa Watts set a season-high with two goals and one assist for three points in her first collegiate appearance. Senior Jaclyn Klunder tied her season-high with four assists. Klunder also tallied a goal. Senior Charlotte Wood scored three second-half goals.

Drexel's Kelli Joran and Alissa Watts gave the Dragons a solid 2-0 lead in the first five minutes of play. The Dragons controlled the turf, until George Washington scored back-to-back goals by Rachel Mia and Casey Disharoon. Watts tallied her second goal followed by Alyse Maiden to regain the lead, 4-2. The Colonials went on a three-goal run and tied the game, 5-5. At 9:01, Maiden answered back with a free position goal. George Washington won 12 of 14 of the game's draw controls, which allowed them to maintain possession and momentum in the first. The Colonials led by three, 8-5, at half.

The Dragons opened up the second half with six unanswered goals to take back the lead, 11-8 with still 15 minutes remaining in the contest. George Washington's Nicole Lacey scored an unassisted goal at 13:27. Two minutes later, Drexel went on another four-goal spurt and held onto the lead until time expired.

Sophomore goalkeeper Amanda Santandrea started her first full game for the Dragons and had a career-high of 10 saves on the day. George Washington's Mackenzie Jones made six saves. Teammate Jess Hicks played the last 13:27 in the cage for the Colonials.

Drexel Women's Lacrosse hosts Saint Joseph's at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22 at Vidas Field. 

PHILADELPHIA – Sixth-year Temple lacrosse coach Bonnie Rosen has signed 13 student-athletes to join the Owls starting in 2012-13. The class includes two sets of sisters, another set of teammates, nine players from Pennsylvania and two each from New Jersey and Maryland.

The rundown of the signing class is: Kirstie Connor (Westminster, Md./North Carroll), Bridget Hufnagel (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter Strasburt), Summer Jaros (Avondale, Pa./Bishop Shanahan), Avery Longstaff (Denver, Pa./Cocalico), Kari Longstaff (Denver, Pa./Cocalico), Brenda McDermott (Harleysville, Pa./North Penn), Maddie McTigue (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy), Megan Pinkerton (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township), Rachel Schwaab (Baltimore, Md./Catonsville), Kathryn Skahan (West Chester, Pa./Bishop Shanahan), Kara Stroup (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley), Megan Tiernan (Turnersville, N.J./Washington Township) and Nicole Tiernan (Turnersville, N.J./Washington Township).

“It is an amazing feeling when all of the work that goes into something yields great results,” said Rosen. “This recruiting class embodies that sentiment. We set out as a coaching staff to bring in a large and talented class who could not only fill the shoes of our graduating seniors but who could help to elevate our program. This strong recruiting class is made up of 13 very unique student-athletes who share a common goal: to make their mark on Temple Lacrosse.”

Kirstie Connor, out of North Carroll High School in Westminster, Md., chose Temple for “the strong academic program, the cost, the opportunities for internships because of its location in the city, and the opportunity to play Division I Lacrosse.”

As a four-year varsity letterwinner at Lampeter Strasburt High School in Lancaster, Pa., Bridget Hufnagel was a two-time league all-star and two-time Team MVP that helped lead her team to a Central Pennsylvania Championship. Hufnagel is excited about “being one of 13 incoming freshman, and getting the opportunity to improve my skills and hoping to make an impact on the field. Also, I am really looking forward to being coached by a great coaching staff. I am really excited about creating new friendships with my teammates.”

A Brine All-American for Pennsylvania out of Bishop Shanahan High School, Summer Jaros was also named to ESPN’s High School on the Rise lacrosse watch list as a junior and senior. Jaros, planning to major in business at Temple, will be playing alongside current teammate Kathryn Skahan as well as another best friend, Maddie McTigue.

“I am really excited to learn from Coach Rosen, who is such an accomplished lacrosse player,” said Jaros. “I am also excited to be part of the family atmosphere of the team and to be part of a large recruiting class.”

Avery and Kari Longstaff, one of two sets of twin sisters joining the Owls, hail from Denver, Pa., where they play at Cocalico High School. Says Avery about her decision to attend Temple: “it was basically just a really good fit. I knew that Temple had a really good lacrosse program and that the school itself is highly regarded, so when I found out that they were interested in me as a player and then had the chance to meet the coaches, it was an easy decision.”

Sister Kari, who plans to enter Temple’s nursing program, is excited for “the competitive nature of the program,” and said “Temple lacrosse has a great family vibe that makes me very appreciative of my opportunity to become a part of the team.”

Brenda McDermott, who plays at North Penn High School in Harleysville, Pa., chose Temple for a number of reasons. “First is the location of the school,” said McDermott. “I like the city atmosphere while still being close to home and only 10 minutes away from my sister at LaSalle.  I also think the lacrosse facilities at Temple are better than most other schools. Furthermore, I fell in love with the program, and more importantly my future teammates. During my visit they made me feel at home and treated me as if I was one of them.  I also believe Temple is the best fit for me because of the coaching philosophy instilled in the program.”

A three-sport athlete out of Villa Maria Academy and West Chester, Pa., Maddie McTigue has also earned multiple letters in soccer and basketball.

“There were a lot of factors for me in choosing Temple,” said McTigue. “I was looking for the school that fit me from the campus and city life, to the team and coaches that seemed right. When I visited Temple and took a tour I immediately knew it was the right school for me. I loved the campus life, the coaches and the team.”

An honorable mention All-American as well as an Academic All-American out of Manheim Township High School in Lancaster, Megan Pinkerton has also been a first team all-league and all-section honoree. Off the field, Pinkerton is the co-organizer and director of Lax for Life Clinic to benefit the Special Olympics.

“I chose Temple because of the wide range of academic opportunities, the city location, and the lacrosse program,” said Pinkerton. “I really liked the city campus. I thought that it would be great to experience city life since it is so different than where I live. Also, Coach Rosen and Coach Wong made me feel like Temple would be a good lacrosse fit for me.”

Rachel Schwaab hails from Baltimore, Md., where she plays for Catonsville High School, and plans to study environmental engineering while at Temple.

“I was impressed by Temple since my first visit,” said Schwaab. “I was looking for a school where I could pursue my academic interests, contribute to a strong Division I lacrosse program, and live and study in a stimulating, urban environment.” About her decision to study environmental engineering, Schwaab says, “I have always had a strong interest in combining my interest in math and science with work that will address the real challenges that people and communities face in today's world.”

Kathryn Skahan is a US Lacrosse Academic All-American and third team All-ChesMont League selection who is the teammate of fellow recruit Summer Jaros at Bishop Shanahan High School. Skahan plans to major in business and possibly specialize in advertising at Temple.

“I wanted to go to, and play for, a city school,” said Skahan. “I love Philadelphia. Temple's campus was the best of the city schools. I know I'll get a really good education at Temple, and I really connected with the coaching staff.”

Coming in with huge enthusiasm for the program and Temple Athletics as a whole, is Kara Stroup out of Garnet Valley High School in Garnet Valley, Pa. “I love the atmosphere that all of the sports teams carry and the pride they have being Owls,” said Stroup. “I love going to other sports events, and being able to watch my peers play on the other sports teams will be so amazing. My grandfather and my cousin went to Temple, and it's so nice to have that connection with my family members.”

Stroup has not definitively decided on a major, but an interest of hers is kinesiology. “I have always been interested in this field of study since I was young,” said Stroup, “which I think has contributed to my passion for athletics. My love for athletics and the human body would ensure that the field of kinesiology would be a great fit for me.”

The second set of twin sisters joining Temple lacrosse are Megan and Nicole Tiernan out of Washington Township High School in Turnersville, N.J. Both all-conference selections and Academic All-Americans, the Tiernans have helped lead their team to conference and county titles during their time at Washington Township. Megan is a Wendy's High School Heisman School Winner and State Finalist, while Nicole, who plans to enter the nursing program, was also a nominee for the award.

“I know that I am going to have a great time studying and playing at Temple,” said Megan. “I am very excited to be going to college there and having my sister and close friends with me will be very special.”

“There were many factors that helped me decide on Temple,” said Nicole. “The coaches are amazing and very friendly, and the players are very inviting. Megan and I can go to school together, they have a great nursing program, the school is very close to home, and it is an overall great fit for me.”

“We chose each of these (recruits) for their current individual strengths but we also selected them with the vision that together they truly complement each other,” says Rosen. “Their athletic accolades speak for themselves, yet I am certain that each of their college lacrosse careers will far surpass their high school accomplishments. This group of players exudes potential, has something to prove, believes in the power of team, has demonstrated outstanding work ethic, is committed to academics, are good people first, and are excited to become Temple OWLS.

“While it will not be for another nine months until we get to officially welcome this class to Temple, they already feel like family,” Rosen said. “This NLI signing is an exciting time for these outstanding student-athletes and for Temple Lacrosse!”

PHILADELPHIA – Sophomore Charlotte Swavola, already an Atlantic 10 First Team selection for 2011, has now been named to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association’s (IWLCA) All-Region Second Team for her outstanding play this year.

Swavola led the Owls with 38 goals and 13 assists for 51 total points this season. She tied for fifth in the A-10 with 2.38 goals per game and ranked ninth in the conference with 0.81 assists per game. Swavola, who was also named to the A-10 Championship All-Tournament Team, scored at least once in all 16 games she played, with 11 multiple-goal performances.

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PHILADELPHIA - Danielle Brady (Women's Rowing) and Jared Sabre (Men's Track) have been named Saint Joseph's Outstanding Senior Student-Athletes and will each receive the Class of 1950 award at the University's Commencement on May 14.

A three-time Atlantic 10 champion, Brady has won the top honors in both the Varsity 8 and Quad events over her career. A three-time silver medalist at the conference meet, the co-captain helped SJU to its first-ever A-10 title this April, earning All-Conference First Team accolades along the way. A member of just the SJU crew that participated in the 2010 Henley Royal Regatta, she has earned A-10 All-Academic Team honors, and has been a member of both the Commissioner's Honor Roll and the SJU Athletic Director's Honor Roll.