First Years Impress in Season Opener at Neumann

ASTON, Pa.: Seven first year players got their first collegiate start in today's women's lacrosse season opener on the road, highlighted by a 6 point effort from Haylee Molloy (Holtsville, NY/Sachem East) on 5 goals and 1 assist but the Knights dropped their non-conference match to the Knights of Neumann University 15-11.

Molloy's team-high 5 goals, came from just 8 shots as she went 2 for 2 on free-position attempts and earned 3 draw controls. Newcomer Jaclyn Feffer (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central) dominated the draws for Arcadia, capturing 14 to go along with 12 ground balls, both game-highs.

The Knights put the pressure on the hosts early and less than two minutes in junior Meghan Fallon (Robinsville, NJ/Notre Dame) scored Arcadia's first goal of the season, giving her team the early 1-0 advantage.

Molloy captured the ensuing draw, sending it ahead to first year Kaitlyn Barry (Chester, NJ/Immaculata) who nearly made it 2-0 Arcadia but for a key stop by Neumann keeper Sam Kotkowski. Neumann got the next shot that Arcadia keeper Amalie Kreitman (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) turned aside, but the failed clear attempt led to turnover and ground ball pick up for the Neumann Knights and the first of Erica Crabtree's game high 7 goals.

Tied 1-1, Molloy positioned herself for the draw and reeled a pass off to sophomore Katie Bauer (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown West) for the go-ahead Arcadia tally :30 seconds later. Neumann responded in a big way with Crabtree's second and third coming :09 seconds apart.

With the hosts in front 3-2 with 22 minutes to play in the opening half, Crabtree seemed to be everywhere for Neumann, earning a caused turnover and ground ball and fourth score of the contest at 20:14 for the 4-2 Neumann lead.

Arcadia sophomore Jenna Crothers (Patchogue, NY/Patchogue-Medford) converted a feed from Fallon at 19:47 to make it a one goal contest but Kuola Gregor, Crabtree and Meghan Garsey added three straight for Neumann equalling a 7-3 advantage for the home team with 8 minutes to play.

Arcadia was up to the challenge of climbing back into the rain-soaked match and brought Neumann's run down to a trickle before the first half expired. First year Dana Rossler (Chalfont, PA/Archbishop Wood) notched her first collegiate tally, assisted by Fallon with 4:19 before the half and Molloy would net a free-position goal with under two minutes to play as the Knights allowed Neumann just a two-goal cushion by the break.

Leading 7-5, Neumann went right back to work to start the second, netting six unanswered goals by six different players to up their advantage to 13-5 with 21 minutes remaining. Arcadia would register six of the final eight goals of the contest, four coming off the stick of Molloy, and Rossler's and Fallon's second each but the team ran out time, settling for the four-goal loss, 15-11.

Kreitman, who made 6 saves for Arcadia, was credited with the loss through 42 minutes, allowing 10 goals. Junior newcomer Sarah Baumgardner (Hatboro, PA/Upepr Moreland) played nearly 18 minutes in the cage for Arcadia, making 3 saves with 5 goals allowed. Kotkowski finished with 8 saves for Neumann, earning the victory having allowed just 11 goals.

Arcadia looks to even their record when they host Widener University this Saturday at Easton Field for the team's home opener. First draw is set for 1 p.m.

Print Friendly Version