April 6, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Penn State women's lacrosse team (3-8, 0-1 ALC) fell to No. 10 North Carolina (9-3, 2-2 ACC), 14-9, on Sunday afternoon in the finale of the ALC/ACC Challenge at Fetzer Field on UNC's Chapel Hill campus.
The Nittany Lions played the Tar Heels even through the game's first 13 and a half minutes, forging a 2-2 tie. Junior Marisa Lozano (Pittsburgh, Pa.) netted her sixth goal in three games at the 24:16 mark to start the scoring for Penn State. Sophomore Theresa Bucci (Hudson, Ohio) accounted for the second goal, scoring it nearly eight minutes later. However, North Carolina gradually gained control of the game and netted six straight goals to go ahead 8-2.
Senior midfielder Jessi Lieb (Villanova, Pa.) cut the Tar Heel lead to 8-3 before halftime with her 15th goal of the season. Penn State was assaulted with 18 first half shots from North Carolina, including 12 that made it on goal.
The Tar Heels struck first from the break, netting two straight to stretch their advantage to 10-3. Over the next three minutes Lieb would outscore UNC on her own, 2-1, to push Penn State closer at 11-5. North Carolina, though, would put the game out of reach with two more goals. The Nittany Lions would outscore the Tar Heels, 4-1, over the remainder of the game, getting goals from Jen Steadman (Sykesville, Md.), Lozano, Kerry Shea (Baltimore, Md.), and Lieb, but it would be too little too late.
Senior Jess Boccio (Northport, N.Y.) and sophomore Stephanie Ellis (Bryn Mawr, Pa.) shared time in goal for Penn State, combining for six saves.
Penn State was outshot for the game, 28-16, and collected 15 ground balls as compared to UNC's 17.
The Nittany Lions return home next weekend to continue their conference schedule when they host three-time defending national champion and No. 1-ranked Northwestern (10-0, 2-0 ALC) on Sun., April 13 at noon. Location of the key league match-up has yet to be determined. Check the official website of Penn State athletics, www.GoPSUsports.com, later this week for an announcement.