A game of runs between a pair of Top Ten ranked teams between #8 Maryland and #10 Virginia in Women’s DI action.
Maryland prevailed with a 17-13 victory.
Libby May put up a four goal first quarter and finished with five on the day for Maryland.
Virginia would receive four goals from Rachel Clark and Ashlyn McGovern
Let’s Get Things Started
May, at 12:33 followed Shannon Smith (2g, 1a) 12 seconds later, gave Maryland a quick 2-0 advantage.
Rachel Clark followed by Courtlynn Caskin (1g) responded and the stage was set for a barn burner.
Following what appeared to be a pattern, Hannah Leubecker (4g, 1a) and May made it 4-2.
Virginia did their part with Clark and McGovern knotting it up with 3:32 to play in the quarter.
Maryland ended the first after Libby May hit for goals three and four. Maryland up 6-4 after 15:00.
The Fun Begins
The game of runs kicked off with Virginia storming Maryland, shutting them out and scoring five times.
McGovern with her 6th of the season, Kate Miller (1g, 1a), Jaime Biskop(2g), Rachel Clark and an advantage tally from McGovern, took it to the half with Virginia holding a 9-6 advantage.
To The Third
Maryland said, “hold my cocktail” and more than reversed the Virginia uprising.
After a scoreless string of 18:36, Maryland broke out in a big way.
Shannon Smith set up Leubecker, Smith (2g, 1a) joined the goal party making it a one goal game, 9-8.
Aurora Cordingley (4g, 2a), Cordingley hitting May on the advantage, Leubecker chimed in with Shaylan Ahearn (2g) added a pair with one more from Cordingley and the third closed with a 14-9 Maryland edge.
Winding it Down?
Virginia made a comeback fueled by, Kiki Shaw (1g) at 14:17 followed a minute later by Clark to cut it 14-11.
The hometown crowd was beginning to buzz. The buzz became increased when McGovern and Biskup hit net.
With 6:19 to play,it was a one goal battle, 14-13.
Maryland had one more run in them with Cordingley hitting net twice followed by Leubecker to close out the thrilling 17-13 battle.
“There was a lot to that game, a lot of runs for both teams. Obviously, that third quarter without having possession of the ball they just got the better of us. They scored on almost every shot and had us on our heels. I was happy that we responded and answered back in the fourth quarter, but at the end of the day we were undisciplined and too often we had yellow cards. The one that was unreleasable I think they scored two goals, so we need to be better. We need to clean up in transition and make sure we take care of the ball. It is early in the season, so a lot of good takeaways. I like that we were resilient. We showed some toughness and stayed together, but clearly, we came up short, so we need to make sure that we are getting better every day and tomorrow is another chance.” Virginia Coach, lJulie Myers.
Stats
Ground balls had Maryland with 13 to the 8 of Virginia.
Shots went 35-25 the Maryland way with Shots on Goal also leaned to Maryland, 29-19.
Saves were 6 for Maryland with Ashley Vernon stopping 12 in the Virginia nets.
Face offs went Virginia’s way, 12-8.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
