March 28, 2012
DURHAM, N.H. – Despite outshooting its opponent by 10 on the road, the 12th-ranked Vanderbilt women’s lacrosse team dropped its third straight game Wednesday at New Hampshire, 12-11.
Vanderbilt held a 32-22 advantage in shots, but 14 saves by UNH goalkeeper Kathleen O’Keefe proved to be the difference in the game. Commodore goalkeeper Chelsea Pasfield made seven saves of her own in 55 minutes of action.
Vanderbilt earned nine free position shots, but only converted three of those attempts on the day. Nine of New Hampshire’s 12 goals were assisted on the day, including the decisive tally when Laura Puccia scored her fifth goal off a feed from Ilana Cohen with 4:07 remaining.
Despite opening the season with five wins against only one loss, the Commodores (5-4) had struggled at times to put together full 60-minute efforts. Wednesday’s loss by VU’s second one-goal defeat in 10 days.
“New Hampshire came out ready to play today and we sat back a bit, unfortunately,” VU Head Coach Cathy Swezey said. “Our inconsistency has really caught up with us the last three games”
The Wildcats scored the game’s first two goals before Vanderbilt went on a 6-1 run to take a three-goal advantage 22 minutes into the game. But Puccia scored twice to finish off a first-half hat-trick for UNH and bring the score back to 6-5 at the break.
The teams traded goals to open the second half, with Vanderbilt holding onto its narrow lead until UNH tied the game at 9-9 at the 17:30 mark. Senior Kacie Connor’s goal to give the Commodores a 10-9 advantage was answered by Puccia, and at the 10:46 mark Rachael Nock gave the Wildcats their first lead since the first 10 minutes of the contest.
Senior All-American Ally Carey tied the game at 5:23 with her second goal of the game, but the Wildcats won the ensuing draw and scored a minute later. Vanderbilt was credited with four shots in the final four minutes but failed to score an equalizer.
Senior Kendall Pittinger led the Commodores with four draw controls. Senior Kacie Connors and junior Carly Linthicum each caused two UNH turnovers. Kacie Connors had a career-high with five points (three goals and two assists).
The Commodores return home for a three-game home stand. Vanderbilt will play host to ALC rival Johns Hopkins this Sunday, April 1. Next week, Presbyterian will visit Nashville on Wednesday, April 4, before league foe Ohio State comes to town on Sunday, April 8.
