March 24, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It took 56 minutes to finally take the lead at Alrotta Stadium, but the 12th-ranked Vanderbilt lacrosse team (6-3, 1-0) escaped with a thrilling win against No. 11 Notre Dame (4-2) on Wednesday, 10-9. Junior Katherine Denkler led all scorers with four goals, helping extend the Commodores’ winning streak against the Irish to four games.
“It was good to see our team pull out a win when we had to come from behind,” said Vanderbilt Head Coach Cathy Swezey. “Katherine Denkler really stepped up for us offensively. She had a great game.”
Notre Dame opened the game with three quick goals before the Commodores answered with three of their own to make it 3-3. The Irish added another four goals to take a 7-4 lead heading into halftime.
Notre Dame added another goal at the start the second half when Ansley Stewart scored with 28:26 remaining. Vanderbilt responded with three goals from Sarah Downing, Ally Carey, and Carter Foote to bring the game within one goal. Gina Scioscia scored with 10:19 left to put the Irish up 9-7. Denkler’s goals with 5:45 and 4:58 remaining gave the `Dores a tie at 9-9, before sophomore Hannah Clark scored with 4:14 left on a free position shot to give Vanderbilt the lead and the win.
Clark and Downing each finished with two goals for the Commodores. Downing and Carey each paced the Commodores defensively as Downing finished with three ground balls, two draw controls, and two caused turnovers. Carey totaled three draw controls, two caused turnovers, and two ground balls.
Sophomore goalkeeper Natalie Wills recorded 11 saves to pick up her sixth win of the season.
