Feb. 20, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The No. 7 Penn State women's lacrosse team scored four goals in the final two minutes of the first half to open a six-goal halftime lead as part of a 13-0 run in an 19-5 win over Duquesne Saturday afternoon at Penn State Lacrosse Field.
Madison Carter (Davidsonville, Md.), Madison Cyr (Westminster, Md.) and Katie O'Donnell (West Chester, Pa.) each scored four goals to pace the offense.
Penn State's first clear resulted in a fast-break goal by Carter assisted by senior Ally Heavens (Garnet Valley, Pa.). The Nittany Lions never trailed, but it was a two-goal game or closer until the 2:05 mark of the first half.
The run started with an unassisted goal by O'Donnell. On the final first-half possession, Carter drove through the defense but lost control of the ball. Freshman Kayla Brisolari (Crofton, Md.) corralled the ball in mid-air and scored with 0.2 seconds left on the clock to give Penn State (2-0) a 10-4 lead at the half.
From there, Duquesne (0-2) had no answer for the Nittany Lions' offense. Penn State scored nine straight goals, including three consecutive free position goals, to pull away in the second half.
The Nittany Lions outshot Duquesne 42-14, scooped 18 ground balls and controlled 18 of 25 draws. Penn State's three goalies combined for eight saves. Senior goalkeeper Emi Smith (Denver, Colo.) had five saves on nine shots faced in 42 minutes.
Brisolari earned her first career hat trick. Heavens, sophomore Maggie Gallagher (Bel Air, Md.) and freshman Kelly Daggett (Bainbridge, Pa.) and Alexis Phillips (Riva, Md.) each scored a goal.
Carter led the Nittany Lions with three ground balls. Cyr, senior Jenna Mosketti (Fallston, Md.) and freshman Reilly Masterson (Newtown Square, Pa.) each picked up two ground balls.
Penn State's defensive pressure resulted in 13 caused turnovers. Carter, O'Donnell, and freshman Delaney Muldoon (Silver Spring, Md.) caused two Duquesne turnovers apiece.
The Nittany Lions return to action on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Noon against No. 4 Virginia in Charlottesville.