Second-Half Run Sends Women's Lax to First Win

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – A huge second-half run, plenty of offense from unexpected sources, and deadly free-position accuracy were the key ingredients to the Ursinus College women's lacrosse team's first victory of the season, a 13-7 defeat of Coast Guard on a windy afternoon at Patterson Field.

Senior Taylor DeBernardi scored three goals and dished out two assists for the Bears (1-3), who outscored Coast Guard 9-2 after the other Bears took their final lead less than two minutes into the second half. The loss was the first of the season for Coast Guard, which was off to the best start in program history at 4-0.

Junior Emily DiGiorgio had four goals – all in the second half – for her fourth consecutive hat trick. Three of her markers came from the circle as Ursinus racked up seven free-position goals on the afternoon, believed to be a school record.

After an even first half that saw the teams enter the locker rooms knotted at 4, Brenna Farrington put the visitors ahead just 1:53 after intermission. It was all Ursinus from there.

Freshman Abby Krasutsky bounced in an eight-meter shot for her first career goal, and junior Kaci McNeave followed with her own less than a minute later to give the Bears the lead for good at the 24:37 mark.

DiGiorgio got on the board for the first time on a free-position strike, and DeBernardi found freshman Grace Langen cutting in from the left of the circle to make it 8-5.

DeBernardi bookended a stretch of three goals in just over two minutes, ripping a rising free-position shot past the Coast Guard keeper before DiGiorgio switched hands for a lefty shot to the lower right corner.

After the visitors broke a 6-0 run on Haley Howard's tally, senior Franny Liberatoscioli kicked off a beautiful transition sequence by causing a turnover. Senior Amy Lee scooped up the loose ball and initiated the fast break as the ball eventually found its way to Abby Krasutsky, who hit DeBernardi in front of the net for an easy finish and an 11-6 lead.

DiGiorgio sandwiched two more free-position goals around a Coast Guard marker to complete the scoring.

DeBernardi's five points matched a career high, and the three goals gave her the fourth hat trick of her career.

Langen finished with two goals and an assist on the day, while McNeave scored twice. Combined with DeBernardi, that trio produced seven goals and three assists; the ten points were two less than their aggregate total coming into the contest.

Liberatoscioli racked up six draw controls and McNeave added five for the Bears, with freshman Hannah Reape initiating the action as the home side owned a 13-9 edge in that category. Liberatoscioli had five caused turnovers, McNeave had three, and senior Alycia Hildebrand and junior Emily Blaszkow added two each for Ursinus, which forced 23 turnovers and limited Coast Guard to just 16 for 24 on clears. Hildebrand (five) and Liberatoscioli (four) led the way in ground balls.

Junior Kaitlyn France made seven saves in collecting her first victory of the season.

The women's lacrosse team returns to Patterson Field on Wednesday as the Bears play host to Penn State Abington at 3:30 p.m.