(Cazenovia, N.Y. – March 13, 2013) The Cazenovia College women’s lacrosse team exploded for 19 goals en route to topping Green Mountain College, 19-5, in the season opener for both teams. The Eagles wasted no time as Johanna Douglas (Essex, Conn.) scored the games first goal less than a minute into the contest.
The Wildcats kept their composure, however, and senior Alicia Priest (Camillus, N.Y.) scored five unanswered goals over a four minute stretch to give Cazenovia a 5-1 lead with just over 22 minutes left in the first stanza.
The Wildcats found the back of the net seven more times before Douglas tallied another score for Green Mountain at the 10 minute mark, making the score 12-2. Kim Vrigian (Clifton Park, N.Y.) completed a first half hat trick, while Priest scored yet again to push the lead out to 14-2 at the half.
Cazenovia stayed aggresive in the second half, but focused more on running their offense and playing stout defense instead of trying to run up the score. This strategy led to the Wildcats outscoring the Eagles 5-3 in the half, leading to 19-5 victory for Cazenovia.
Priest led the way for the Wildcats with 8 goals while Vrigian notched four goals to go along with two assists. Elizabeth Worden (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Jessica Cramer (Johnson City, N.Y.) each registered two goals for Cazenovia, while Hannah Delaware (Haverhill, Mass.)and Cassie Smock Corning, N.Y.) each scored a goal as well.
One of the best all-around performances of the day was turned in by freshman Abby Webster (Syracuse, N.Y.). In addition to scoring a goal, Webster dished out three assists, gathered six ground balls, forced four Eagle turnovers, and corralled three draw controls in her impressive debut.
Returning All-North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) performer Christina Marra (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) earned the victory in goal for the Wildcats making 10 saves. Marra anchored a stingy defensive effort that with the strong play of veterans Amy Olin (Afton, N.Y.) and Anna Cariello (Middletown, N.Y.) caused 28 Green Mountain turnovers.
Douglas scored all five goals for the Eagles in a valiant effort.
Cazenovia is back in action this Saturday at Christakos Field, hosting King’s College at 1:00pm.