April 1, 2013
NASHVILLE – Nine different Commodores scored goals to lead the Vanderbilt lacrosse team to a 15-11 victory over Harvard on Monday at the VU Lacrosse Complex.
Senior Carly Linthicum, who entered the week ranked fourth in the nation in goals per game, paced the Commodore attack with five tallies, including a pair of free-position goals. Vanderbilt converted six of its 11 free-position shots on the day while allowing only one goal out of six eight-meter opportunities for Harvard.
Junior Abby Wheeler and freshman Emma Dagres each scored twice for the Commodores, while single goals were netted by seniors Courtney Kirk and Olivia Goodman along freshmen Kelly Chandler, Alexa Kunowsky, Amanda Lockwood and Mallory Schonk. Eight of Vanderbilt’s nine goals in the run of play were assisted, with Kirk, Goodman and freshman Annie Vreeland each passing out two helpers.
After the teams traded goals in the opening minutes, Vanderbilt would go on a five-goal run to take a 6-1 advantage midway into the first half. After a single Harvard tally, the Commodores would expand their lead to 10-2 with two minutes remaining in the half. Harvard scored a pair of goals on each side of the halftime break to cut into Vanderbilt’s lead, but the Crimson would never get closer than four goals in the second half.
Harvard was led by Micaela Cyr and Audrey Todd, who each netted hat-tricks.
Senior goalkeeper Chelsea Pasfield had another game with double-digit saves, stopping 10 Harvard shots. She ranks among the nation’s top 10 in saves per game this season. Pasfield also caused a pair of turnovers, tying for the team lead in that category with Schonk and junior Alyssa Dunlap. Junior Brandi Byner picked up a game-high five ground balls, while senior Paige Cahill came up with five draw controls to help the Commodores finish even in that category despite seven draw controls by Harvard’s Kyleigh Keating.
Vanderbilt returns to American Lacrosse Conference play this weekend, traveling to Columbis, Ohio, to face Ohio State on Sunday, April 7. That game is scheduled for 12 Noon ET and will be televised by the Big Ten Network.
