March 2, 2011
NASHVILLE – Hat-tricks by three members of the junior class — Ally Carey, Courtney Kirk and Alex Priddy — propelled the 11th-ranked Commodore lacrosse team to a 17-3 victory over Cincinnati Wednesday at the Vanderbilt Lacrosse Complex.
Vanderbilt scored the game’s first three goals and would take a 10-1 lead into the halftime break. A number of VU goals took less than a minute to score off the draw. Following an eight-meter goal by Priddy at the 14:34 mark, senior Emily Franke would notch another VU goal just 10 seconds later off an assist from Kirk. Then after Kirk scored the next goal, only 14 seconds elapsed before Carey would tally a second.
Franke and junior Kendall Pittinger each scored two goals, with other VU goals coming from senior Katherine Denkler, juniors Kacie Connors and Kelly Connors, and sophomore Carly Linthicum.
Defensively, both Carey and Kirk forced three Bearcat turnovers. Carey also paced the Commodores with four ground balls and five draw controls. Vanderbilt held a 14-8 advantage on the draw.
Junior Natalie Wills and sophomore Chelsea Pasfield split time at goalkeeper for Vanderbilt, notching a total of five saves against only three goals. Cincinnati’s Jen Walsh made 10 saves in the first half before giving way to Katherine Russo and Haley Marvine in the second 30 minutes.
Wednesday’s win closes out a four-game homestand for the Commodores (3-2, 0-1 American Lacrosse Conference). Vanderbilt travels to Jacksonville on Saturday, March 5, for a 10:30 a.m. CT matchup with the Dolphins.
