Feb. 23, 2008

No. 6 Maryland Wins Season Opener At UMass, 18-7

AMHERST, Mass. - Senior Kelly Kasper scored a career high six goals as the No. 6 Maryland women's lacrosse team beat Massachusetts, 18-7, in the Terrapins' season opener on February 23 at McGuirk Stadium. Sophomore Caitlyn McFadden also recorded career highs in goals and points with four and five, respectively.

The Terps hounded UMass all day and forced 29 turnovers while allowing the Minutewomen to convert just 10 of 18 clear opportunities. Maryland also owned a 40-15 shot advantage as a bulk of the possession was spent on the Terps' attack.

Seniors Lauren Cohen and Dana Dobbie also recorded hat tricks on the day. Dobbie added two assists while Cohen tallied one. Senior Katie Princiotto dished out two assists and classmate Casey Magor recorded a goal and an assist.

Maryland jumped out quick with a goal in the first 1:10 of the game. Following a Massachusetts turnover, Cohen fed Dobbie from behind the net for the first goal of the game. UMass won the ensuing draw but the Terps' defense held strong, keeping the Minutewomen offense at bay for over three minutes.

McFadden earned a free position with 24:00 on the clock but hit the pipe. Maryland's pressure in the midfield forced numerous UMass turnovers as the Minutewomen failed to clear the ball four consecutive times.

Tar Heels Trounce Albany, 18-6

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Six different Tar Heel players scored multiple goals as the University of North Carolina women's lacrosse team posted an 18-6 win over the University at Albany on Saturday afternoon at sunny Fetzer Field.

Carolina was led by freshman Corey Donohoe, who scored four goals for the third consecutive game while also adding an assist. Kristen Taylor had three goals and one assist, Chelsea Parks and Julia Ryan both had two goals and two assists and Kelly Taylor and Jenn Russell both scored twice for UNC.

Albany's Nikki Branchini scored twice to lead the Great Danes.

UNC, ranked No. 3 in the first Inside Lacrosse media poll of the season this week, got off to a quick start and did not look back, dominating the first half. UNC led 11-0 by halftime, taking 20 shots to Albany's four in the first 30 minutes. Eight different Tar Heels scored in the first period, led by Ryan, Donohoe and Kristen Taylor, who had two apiece.

The Great Danes rallied a bit in the second half, matching the Tar Heels goal-for-goal for the first 15 minutes after the break. Branchini scored twice in the first 10 minutes and Albany got as close as nine goals briefly before Carolina put the margin above 10 goals again for the last 14+ minutes of action.