March 19, 2002

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Courtney Bennett tallied five goals on six shots and Gina Riitano added three as American handed a 17-2 loss to the University of Denver in women's lacrosse action Tuesday afternoon in Washington, D.C.

Denver (2-4) got goals from freshman Melissa Holecheck (Hurlock, Md. / Sts. Peter & Paul HS) in the first half and sophomore Patience Baldwin (Baltimore, Md. / Vermont Academy) in the second.

American (3-3) outshot the Pioneers by a 35-15 margin as the Eagles netted eight goals in the first half and nine in the second. The turnovers were relatively even, with the Eagles committing six more than Denver's 15. Yet the Pioneers committed 28 fouls to American's 14, which negated Denver's strong play in the midfield.

"It was certainly not the outcome we had hoped for," said head coach Abby Burbank. "We didn't have the ball on offense enough. We'd create turnovers at midfield and not maintain possession. There was a huge difference in the time of possession."

Senior Sarah Hazard (Owings Mills, Md. / Maryvale Prep) and freshman Steph Schneider (Leesburg, Va. / Loudon County HS) combined to make seven saves in allowing the Eagles' 16 goals. Laura Randisi had six saves for the Eagles, who held an opponent to the fewest number of goals since 1997.

The Pioneers continue their East Coast roadtrip during their spring break on Thursday vs. Ohio and a Friday matchup with Virginia Tech - both in Baltimore on the campus of Johns Hopkins University - before wrapping up the four-game trip at Mount St. Mary's on Sunday.

DENVER WOMEN'S LACROSSE at Washington, D.C.
American 16, DENVER 2

            1  2  -  FDENVER (2-4)  1  1  -   2AU (3-3)      8  9  -  17
Goals: DEN - Baldwin, Holecheck, AU - Bennett 5, Riitano 3,   Cartin 2, Fenwick 2, Carmichael, Repoli, Flanagan, McCarthy.Assists: DEN - None, AU - McCarthy 2, Carmichael, Zaweski, Repoli.Goalkeeping: DEN - Hazard (37 mins., 10 GA, 6 Svs.) and Schneider   (23 mins., 7 GA, 1 Svs.), AU - Randisi (60 mins., 2 GA, 6 Svs.).Shots: DEN 15, AU 35. Ground Balls: DEN 35, AU 57.Caused Turnovers: DEN 12, AU 23. Turnovers: DEN 15, AU 21.Draws Controlled: DEN 9, AU 8. Fouls: DEN 28, AU 14.