March 31, 2004

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Fourth-ranked Loyola out scored No. 20 George Mason 8-2 in the second period, breaking an 8-8 tie at halftime, as the Greyhounds topped the Patriots 16-10 in women's lacrosse action Wednesday evening on a rain-soaked field at George Mason Stadium. Loyola improves to 10-1 overall, while George Mason drops to 2-3.

Loyola's Sydney Greene led all scorers with five goals, four of which came in the second half, and one assist. She got help from Talia Shacklock and Stephanie Walker who each netted four goals. Four George Mason players each posted two scores, including senior midfielder Lisa Hagan (Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood), sophomore attacker Sarah Bryant (Fairfax Station, VA/W.T. Woodson), junior attacker Kristy Manas (Harwood, MD/Southern) and freshman midfielder Melissa Venturi (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township). Hagan also added two assists.

The Greyhounds jumped out on top 3-0 in the first eight minutes of the contest and extended the advantage to 6-2 after Kourtney Porcella's marker at 14:39. The Patriots' Bryant and Hagan netted back-to-back scores, but Katie Guarino's free position shot kept the Greyhounds in the lead, 7-4, with 8:35 remaining in the frame. The Patriots quickly got back into the action as Venturi and Manas combined for three tallies in a one minute, 15 second span that tied the game at 7-all. The two teams traded markers to end the half even at 8-8.

The second stanza was much different as the Greyhounds connected on eight of the first nine goals in the period, including six-in-a-row at one point, to stake a 16-9 margin with nine minutes left to play. Shacklock, Greene and Walker combined for all eight of the Greyhounds second half markers. Manas and Hagan provided the scoring for the Patriots in the frame.

George Mason junior goalkeeper Meg Dentler (Crofton, MD/Arundel) stopped 11 shots. Loyola goalie Kim Lawton allowed eight goals and made five saves in the first half, while reserve keeper Cindy Nicolaus stopped seven second half shots, including several free position attempts, and allowed only two goals. The Greyhounds out shot the Patriots, 33-27, and held a 17-11 advantage on draw controls.

George Mason begins Colonial Athletic Association competition this week when the team hosts Old Dominion Friday at 7 p.m.

Line Score
No. 4 Loyola (10-1) - 8-8=16
No. 20 George Mason (2-3) - 8-2=10