Late Darnulc Heroics Not Enough for Women's Lacrosse in Hard-Luck Loss to Holy Family
Box Score PHILADELPHIA, PA. (March 9, 2012) – Junior midfielder Julie Darnulc (Baldwin, N.Y.) capped a dominant performance for herself and the Mavericks with three late goals to tie the game but the Mercy College women's lacrosse team was unlucky not to come away with the win on Thursday evening against Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pa., falling 15-14.
Holy Family improves to 1-2 with their first win of the season while Mercy starts the year at 0-1.
The Mavericks dominated in every aspect of the game, taking 33 percent more shots, picking up more ground balls and committing only 12 turnovers, but a whopping 68 percent of the Tigers' shots on target found the net for goals. Even so, the Mavericks fought hard to stay in it even without their starting goalkeeper, junior Stephanie DiLegge (Bay Shore, N.Y.), who was out with an injury.
Holy Family jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first half but Mercy picked up its game as the half wound down, scoring six of the game's next seven goals to cut the deficit to just two at the break and tying things up at 9-9 with 20:50 to play.
The Tigers finally recovered to score three more of their own and held the margin until eight minutes remained, when Darnulc took over and scored three goals – one unassisted and two free position – to bring the score level again at 14-14 with 2:34 left in the game. The Mavericks won the draw control following the third score and set up their offense to try for the game-winner, but sophomore attacker Kelsey Bub (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) had her attempt blocked and Holy Family successfully cleared the ball upfield. Seconds later, senior attacker Lauren Greco (Richboro, Pa.) netted her second strike of the game to put the Tigers ahead with only 1:16 left to play. Mercy won the final draw control of the game and managed one last shot, but it went wide to give Holy Family the win.
Sophomore attacker Jamie McPartland (North Massapequa, N.Y.) led the Mavericks with four goals, putting six of her eight shots on net, while Darnulc finished with three goals (putting all five of her shots on goal) and a team-high three assists as well as two ground balls and a draw control. The Mavericks struggled on draw controls, losing 12-3 in the first half, but after inserting freshman midfielder Michelle Tiernan (Farmingdale, N.Y.) in the second took nine of 16 with Tiernan getting seven herself, including both of the final two to give Mercy the chance to score late.
Freshman goalkeeper Mia Wagner (Hamburg, N.Y.) suited up to stand between the posts and was peppered with 22 shots on goal in her first collegiate game, making seven saves.
Senior attacker Gina Mansi (Washington Township, N.J.) led the Tigers with four goals on a perfect 4-4 shooting and added two ground balls, while senior goalkeeper Melissa Jenkins (Glenolden, Pa.) picked up a team-high three ground balls and made nine saves against 14 goals allowed.
Head Coach Francesca DeLorenzo and the Mavericks will look to bounce back on Saturday, March 10 as they travel to take on No. 9 University of New Haven (1-0). Start time is set for 1:00 p.m.
