March 28, 2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Junior Margie Curran scored her fifth hat-trick of the season to help lead the 12th-ranked Vanderbilt women’s lacrosse team to a 9-6 victory over California Wednesday at the VU Lacrosse Complex.
Curran’s third goal of the game came at the 5:48 mark of the second half. Cal had cut a three-goal lead down to one (7-6) just minutes earlier, but the Commodores were able to control possession of the ball and eventually find their leading scorer in front of the net.
Senior Kendall Thrift also scored four points for the Commodores, adding two goals and a pair of assists. Twice in the second half, Thrift was able beat her defender to score unassisted goals.
Outstanding goalkeeping was another theme of Wednesday’s game, as both netminders saved more shots on goal than they allowed in. VU junior Brooke Shinaberry made seven saves, while Cal’s Hilary Lynch had 13 stops.
Defensively, junior Sasha Cielak was a star for the Commodores. Cielak forced four Cal turnovers and scooped a game-high six ground balls.
The game was close throughout. Cal tallied the day’s first goal, with Laura Cavallo scored less than five minutes into the game. Vandy tied the game four minutes later when Curran found junior Ashley Paschall.
After another Cal goal, the Commodores would score three consecutive goals — with a goal by Ali Lemons sandwiched between two Curran scores. But Cal would fight back again, scoring twice to even the game just before halftime.
The Commodores scored the first three goals of the second half, as Thrift and Jennifer Tapscott both found the back of the net. The Bears would score twice to pull within one at the 9:41 mark of the period, but Vanderbilt put down the clamps at that point.
Goals by Curran and sophomore Cara Giordano iced the victory for Vanderbilt (6-3, 1-1 ALC).
The game, originally scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. CT, was delayed by one hour due to weather in the Nashville area.
The Commodores will remain at home this weekend to host another west coast foe, as Stanford visits the VU Lacrosse Complex on Saturday, March 31, for a Noon CT draw.
