Mountaineers Discover the Cage Early and Often in Defeat of Saint Francis, 23-0
Loretto, Pa. – Saint Francis fell victim to Mount St. Mary’s relentless offensive bombardment, drubbed by the Mountaineers 23-0, in the Red Flash’s second NEC game of the season.
Junior stalwart Meghan Crosby (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) aggressively led the Flash on the defensive front, knocking loose three Mountaineer possessions. Crosby also tacked on a ground ball and a draw control.
Saint Francis discovered their target twice in Friday night’s showcase, with shots fired from freshman forward Val Vultaggio (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) and sophomore Lauren Roth (Dover, Pa./Spring Grove). Vultaggio also scooted away with one draw.
Junior netminder Katie Godshall (King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion) piloted the Flash by hauling in three total loose balls. Senior Kati Kenyon (Glenmont, N.Y./Niskayuna) gathered two ground balls for SFU’s endeavors. Additionally stockpiling one ground ball apiece were freshman Heather Tiernan (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee), junior midfielder Sarah Wheeler (Canton, Conn./Canton), sophomore Sarah Dittmann (State College, Pa./State College) and freshman winger Michelle Wetzel (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny).
Despite freshman goaltender Danielle Pokusa (Cinnaminson, N.J./Cinnaminson) starting the game, putting forth a quartet of well-made stops, the story of the game maybe the remarkable saves Godshall put forth in her 45 minutes of play. Godshall recorded a season high nine saves to go along with her team-leading ground ball effort. Many of the Mountaineers’ ropes on cage were hindered on Godshall’s behalf from point blank range.
The Mount set the precedent immediately off the initial whistle, with MSM’s Kathleen Rossetti netting the first mark of the game just 12 seconds in. Rossetti led all goal scorers with six. The Mountaineers never let off the gas, as 15 more goals peppered the twine in the first half of play. Saint Francis couldn’t find a way to get any momentum going starting the second half, staring a 16-0 deficit in the face. The Mount uncovered seven more goals to finish off the Flash by a final of 23-0. Thirteen different Mountaineers chalked up at least one goal Friday evening.
All things considered, The Mount stifled SFU in all major statistical categories. The Mountaineers outshot Saint Francis 44-2, pulled in 24 ground balls to the Flash’s 10, and ran away with 20 draws while Saint Francis produce two. SFU’s 13 saves contrasted The Mount’s solo stop.
Saint Francis (0-8) stays put to host their third NEC opponent, the Sacred Heart Pioneers, Sunday, March 30 at 12:00pm on DeGol Field. SHU combated Robert Morris on Friday, March 28 to open up their two-game swing in Pennsylvania. Sacred Heart is undefeated in conference play.