March 30, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 11th-ranked Vanderbilt women’s lacrosse team won its fourth straight game Monday, defeating visiting Delaware, 20-10, at the VU Lacrosse Complex.
Freshman goalkeeper Natalie Wills made 12 saves for the Commodores against only 10 goals allowed to win her sixth decision of the season. Junior Sarah Downing totaled a game-high seven points on five goals and two assists.
In all, seven Commodores scored on Monday, with Downing, freshman Ally Carey, senior Cara Giordano, junior Carter Foote and sophomore Katherine Denkler all contributing three or more goals. Junior Allie Frank had a team-high three assists.
Defensively, Giordano led the Commodores with three caused turnovers while junior Alex Mundy came up with six ground balls. Foote also contributed a game-high five draw controls.
Vanderbilt scored the game’s first five goals on strikes from Carey and Giordano and an early hat-trick from Downing. The Commodores would also close the first half with four straight tallies and take an 11-4 lead into the break.
The team’s played even for much of the second half before Vanderbilt’s scored four in a row to take an 11-goal lead late in the game. Delaware’s leading scorer Courtney Aburn was credited with a goal as time expired for the game’s final 20-10 margin.
Jessica Cerveny made 14 saves for the Blue Hens (4-5).
The Commodores (6-3, 1-1 American Lacrosse Conference) will take their four-game winning streak back to conference play when ALC rival Johns Hopkins visits the VU Lacrosse Complex this Saturday, April 4, at 1 p.m. CT.
