PHILADELPHIA – The Thomas Jefferson University women's lacrosse team (0-3) hung tight with 20
th-ranked New Haven, but a 5-2 fourth quarter in favor of the Chargers dealt the Rams a 13-9 defeat in their home opener on Saturday afternoon.
GAMEPLAY
It was a defensive battle in the opening quarter with just three goals. The teams were even at one when New Haven took the lead with 1:55 left in the period. The offense opened up in the second, with the Chargers netting the first tally at 14:47 to take a 3-1 advantage. Jefferson came back with three straight goals, two of them by
Erin Avanzato, to go in front 4-3 with 11:03 on the clock. Not to be outdone, New Haven answered with three of its own to reclaim the lead, 6-4, with 2:51 remaining.
Lilly Kull scored on a set-up by
Madison Caffrey to get the Rams within one (6-5) at halftime.
The teams traded goals in the third quarter, with each registering two, to keep it a one-goal difference at 8-7 entering the final frame. The Chargers posted back-to-back markers to increase their margin to three (10-7) with 10:45 left.
Ellie Lefton responded for Jefferson, finding the back of the net twice in less than a minute, to close the gap to one again (10-9). However, that was the last time that the Rams would beat the goalkeeper as New Haven scored the last three goals of the day to pull away for the win.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
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Ellie Lefton: 3 goals, 1 assist
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Erin Avanzato: 3 goals, 3 ground balls, 3 draw controls, 1 caused turnover
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Madison Caffrey: 2 assists, 1 ground ball, 1 caused turnover, 1 draw control
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Kelsey Kaplowitz: 6 ground balls, 5 saves
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Audrey Strock: 1 assist, 3 ground balls
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Lilly Kull: 1 goal, 2 caused turnovers, 2 ground balls
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Erin Campbell: 1 assist, 7 draw controls, 2 ground balls, 2 caused turnovers
NOTES
- The Rams had a 29-25 advantage in shots.
- It was Jefferson's third consecutive game against a nationally-ranked opponent to begin the campaign.
UP NEXT
The Rams head to Holy Family for a non-conference game on Monday, March 7 at 6 p.m.
