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America East Women's Lacrosse Semifinals

Hofstra 12, Delaware 9
May 3, 2000

Hofstra Rallies to End Blue Hens' Title Hopes


NEWARK, DE -- Hofstra University scored nine unanswered goals to overcome an early five-goal deficit and went on to post a 12-9 victory over host University of Delaware in the America East women's lacrosse semifinals Wednesday afternoon at Rullo Stadium.

Hofstra (11-5), ranked 19th in the nation and the No. 3 seed in the tournament, will now face No. 10 ranked and top seed Boston University in the America East championship game Saturday in Boston at 1 p.m. Boston University was an 18-7 winner over New Hampshire in Wednesday's other semifinal game.

Kate O'Connell Scored Four Goals for the Hens

The 11th ranked Blue Hens (13-4), the three-time defending America East champions, lost their first league playoff game since 1996 and must now wait to see if they receive an at-large berth in the 12-team NCAA Tournament. The field will be announced Sunday, May 7 at 7 p.m.

Hofstra, which won its only America East title in 1996, got three goals each from Jessica Gaither and Kathleen McPike while Kelly Dodson and Kelly Walsh each scored twice. Walsh and McPike each added two assists for the Pride.

Kate O'Connell led the Blue Hens with four goals while Megan Fortunato scored twice and dished out three assists. Delaware's leading scorer, Sarah Edwards ( 41 goals), was held without a point.

Delaware jumped out to a 7-2 lead 14 minutes into game as O'Connell scored three goals and Corinne Shuck scored twice.

But it was all Hofstra after that as the Pride reeled off the last three goals of the first half to cut the Delaware lead to 7-5, then tallied the first six goals of the second half to put the game away. Gaither scored two of the goals in the second half flurry while McPike, the America East's leading scorer with 62 points, scored twice and assisted on two others.

Delaware, which had a streak of 14 straight home wins over America East conference opponents snapped, did not score in the second half until Fortunato scored with 15:26 left to cut the lead to 11-8. But that was as close as the Hens would get as Dodson scored with 6:41 left to up the Hofstra lead to four.

AGATE:

Hofstra.......5.......7.......12
Delaware....7.......2........9

Goals: Hofstra - Jessica Gaither-3, Kathleen McPike-3, Kelly Dodson-2, Janet Walsh-2, Gina Dinisio, Megan Zimmer; Delaware - Kate O'Connell-4, Megan Fortunato-2, Corinne Shuck - 2, Christy Buck

Assists: Hofstra - Janet Walsh-2, Kathleen McPike-2, Grace Vidulich; Delaware - Megan Fortunato-3; Shots: Hofstra - 32, Delaware - 25

Saves: Hofstra - 14 (Jackie Carroll), Delaware - 11 (Laurie Tortorelli);

Groundballs: Hofstra - 60, Delaware - 12

Draw Controls: Hofstra - 13, Delaware 11;

Attendance: 400

 

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