University Park Pa., April 15, 2003 - The Penn State women's lacrosse team was upset by Penn at home by a score of 13-9. The Lions fall to 6-6 on the season while the Quakers improve to 6-7. Four players scored for Penn State in the loss, led by freshman Shari Maslin (New City, N.Y.) with three goals. Penn's Lindsey Cassidy scored seven goals for the Quakers.
In addition to Maslin's hat trick, senior Colleen O'Hara (Ardmore, Pa.) recorded two goals and two assists in the contest. Junior Jamie Donahue (Oreland, Pa.) scored two free position goals for the Lions and sophomore Kristen Burke (Severna Park, Md.) also scored twice.
The first half was one of little scoring for both teams. Penn State fell behind in the first two minutes of play on a goal by Penn's Kate Murray. A Penn free position shot put the Lions behind by two 13 minutes into the game. The Lions did non record their first goal until O'Hara scored unassisted at the 23:37 mark to make the score 2-1. Penn answered back a minute later as Cassidy scored her first goal of the game to make the score 3-1 where it would stay as the half came to an end.
The second half opened with a quick goal from Burke to bring the Lions within one, but Cassidy scored two goals in three minutes to put the Quakers on top 5-2. O'Hara brought Penn State within two at the 38:44 mark, but Penn's three goals in under 90 seconds of play gave it a five goal lead, the largest of the game. The next five minutes of play belonged to the Lions, as quick scoring by Penn State's Donahue, Burke and Maslin brought the team back to within two with 10 minutes remaining in the game. However, Penn's Cassidy scored her sixth goal of the game, followed less than two minutes later by a goal by Katie Spofford. At 53:04, Maslin scored for the Lions, assisted by Steph Curnoles (Baltimore, Md.), but Penn's Kate Murray scored two goals for the Quakers in less than 30 seconds to put them on top12-7. Maslin scored another goal, answered by Penn's Cassidy and Donahue took a free position shot at the end of the game, but it wasn't enough for the Lions, as the game ended 13-9.
Maslin added three ground balls and four draw controls and senior Katie Pace (Orchard Park, N.Y.) added two ground balls while also causing two turnovers for the Lions. Sophomore goalkeeper Lee Tortorelli (Havertown, Pa.) recorded eight saves in 60 minutes of play.
The Nittany Lions travel to Northwestern this Saturday, April 19, at noon as they look to keep their unbeaten streak alive in American Lacrosee Conference play.
Please visit Penn State's official athletics website, www.GoPSUsports.com for statistics and more information on the Penn State women's lacrosse team.
