March 14, 2003

Stats

NORFOLK, Va. (Mar. 14, 2003) - Old Dominion squeaked out an 8-6 win over George Mason Friday afternoon in women's lacrosse action at Foreman Field. The contest marked the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams as the Patriots fall to 2-2 on the season (0-1 CAA) and the Lady Monarchs win their third straight to move to 4-1 overall (1-0 CAA).

Senior attacker Jill Toomey (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) led the Patriots with two goals and an assist. Sophomore attack Kristy Manas (Harwood, MD/Southern) also had two scores. Old Dominion's Danielle Hensil and Erin Lindsey had three goals each.

In a tightly contested match that had two ties, George Mason never led, and never trailed by more than two goals. The Lady Monarchs opened the scoring at 25:49, but Patriot freshman attack Kate Scott (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) responded at 23:28 to tie the contest at 1-all. ODU would connect on two consecutive markers to hold a 3-1 advantage at 20:37. However, Toomey tied the game at 3-3 after back-to-back goals at 18:48 and 14:51. Hensil's goals with 13:57 remaining in the first period put ODU ahead at halftime 4-3.

Old Dominion outscored George Mason 4-3 in a see-sawed second stanza, Hensil connected at 29:13 to push the Lady Monarch lead to 5-3. Senior midfielder Susie Craig (Suffern, NY/Suffern) scored off an assist from Toomey to bring the Patriots to within one, 5-4, with 28:25 remaining. ODU managed two more goals at 27:33 and 19:49, but Manas countered with consecutive markers at 25:02 and 18:32, as the Lady Monarchs continued to lead 7-6. Manas' tally at 18:32 proved to be the Patriots' last as Lindsey added the insurance goal with 8:10 remaining.

Mason sophomore goalkeeper Meg Dentler (Crofton, MD/Arundel) stopped eight shots, while ODU freshman goalie Michelle Gannon collected a career-high 17 saves.

The Patriots outshot the Lady Monarchs, 27-23, and forced 16 turnovers compared to only three for ODU. But, Old Dominion held a 10-6 draw control advantage.

George Mason plays its first contest at home this season Friday against CAA foe Hofstra at 7 p.m., marking the first-ever women's lacrosse match under the lights at GMU Stadium.

Line score
George Mason (2-2) - 3-3=6
Old Dominion (4-1) - 4-4=8