March 24, 2010
EASTON, Pa. - Fueled by a career-high seven points from junior attacker Mary Dean (Wyncote, Pa.), the No. 14 Penn State women's lacrosse team (5-3) cruised to a 19-5 rout of in-state foe Lafayette (0-9) on Wednesday evening in Easton. With the win, the Nittany Lions move to 18-2 all-time versus the Leopards and 60-2 in program history against Patriot League opponents.
Dean's career and team season-best day included four goals and three assists. She also had five ground balls and two draw controls. Senior Erica Mihm (Annapolis, Md.) matched Dean's goal-scoring effort, netting four for the second time this season, while junior Jen Steadman (Sykesville, Md.) contributed a two-goal, two-assist performance for the second consecutive game.
It was also a notable game for three other Nittany Lions, as junior defender Jackie Eastman (Springfield, Pa.) tallied her first goal of the season, junior attacker Megan Hollerbach (Annapolis, Md.) scored her first career goal, and junior midfielder Maggie Dunbar (Cockeysville, Md.) recorded her first career two-assist game. In total, 12 different Penn State players posted goals and 14 notched at least one point.
Penn State was in command from the opening draw, scoring early and often. Mihm got PSU on the board just 50 seconds into the game, igniting a 10-0 run. The Nittany Lion defense stood firm until the 5:53 mark when Lafayette finally found net for the first time. However, goals by Dean and Mihm before the break stretched the Penn State lead to a commanding 12-1 margin by halftime.
After a Lafayette goal over three minutes into the second half made the game 12-2, the Lions scored four straight to equal what would be their largest lead of the contest. The teams would battle to a 3-3 tie for the final 10 minutes of the game but the outcome had long been decided.
Senior goalkeeper Stephanie Ellis (Bryn Mawr, Pa.) played the entire first half, registering one save against six Lafayette shots. Sophomore Dana Cahill (Towson, Md.) relieved Ellis at halftime, finishing out the game. She faced 10 opposition shots, making three saves.
Penn State returns home this weekend to meet No. 17 William & Mary (4-3) on Sun., March 28 at 1 p.m. at Jeffrey Field. The Nittany Lions own a 22-7-1 all-time record in their series with the Tribe, including last season's 14-12 victory in Williamsburg, highlighted by three goals from Marisa Lozano (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and four points from Jen Steadman. Penn State last hosted William & Mary in 2008, earning an 18-12 win.