RADNOR, Pa. – Despite a prolific offensive performance in its season opener at Cabrini on Tuesday afternoon, the Ursinus College women's lacrosse team fell victim to an even deadlier attack in a 17-15 shootout setback.
Junior Abby Goldstein went off for a career-high six goals – three more than her previous best – and got plenty of help in the form of four goals apiece from senior Franny Liberatoscioli and junior Emily DiGiorgio. Ultimately, the Bears were unable to contain the Cavaliers' two-headed monster of Avery Murphy and Liz Hoeffner, who combined for 13 goals and an assist.
Freshman Grace Langen played the role of facilitator in her collegiate debut, handing out a game-high four assists. Fellow rookies Hannah Reape (goal, assist) and Abby Krasutsky (two assists) also recorded their first career points.
Ursinus took its only lead of the game just over 90 seconds in, as Reape's unassisted tally opened the season's scoring for the visitors. Murphy sandwiched a pair of markers around one by Hoeffner over a three-minute span, and Cabrini was off and running.
DiGiorgio's first of the year pulled the Bears to within 4-3 at the midway point of the first half, but back-to-back tallies by Murphy and a free-position strike from Hoeffner had the Cavaliers up 7-3.Ursinus trailed 10-4 before DiGiorgio and Goldstein closed the half with unanswered goals to cut the margin to 10-6.
The Bears came flying out of the locker room. Langen assisted on two more Goldstein goals, sandwiched around one by DiGiorgio, and the Red and Old Gold was back within one in less than five minutes. Unfortunately, Cabrini put the game out of reach with a four-goal spurt of its own. The Cavaliers led 17-11 before Ursinus scored four times in the final 4:09 to tighten the final score.
Murphy finished with seven goals and ten draw controls, combining with Jackie Neary (eight draws) to help Cabrini own a 20-13 advantage in the circle. Hoeffner had six goals and an assist for the Cavaliers, who went 4-for-8 on free-position attempts and held a 39-24 edge in shots.
In addition to her big day on attack, Liberatoscioli led the Bears with five draw controls and added two ground balls and a caused turnover. Reape registered four draws in her debut, and junior Emily Blaszkow anchored the defensive effort with three caused turnovers. Freshman Alyssa Penny had three draw controls.
Junior goalie Kaitlyn France finished with eight saves for Ursinus.
The women's lacrosse team stays on the road to face Albright on Saturday.