Drexel University
VCU
Mastropaolo's Five-Point Effort Sends 18th-Ranked Drexel Past VCU, 3-2
10/5/2008 2:47:19 PM | Field Hockey
Richmond, Va. - Drexel rebounded from its first conference loss of the season to top Virginia Commonwealth, 3-2, as Christina Mastropaolo recorded two goals and an assist. The Dragons overcame their second halftime deficit of the season to defeat the Rams to improve to 9-3 on the season and 2-1 in the CAA. Mastropaolo's pair of goals give her five in the past three games. Susan Ciufo earned assists on both of Mastropaolo's scores.
For the 11th time in 12 games, Drexel scored the first goal of the contest as Kim Tunell sent a blast off a penalty corner into the cage. Carolina Gibernau and Mastropaolo were credited with assists on the play. The Rams battled back with two goals off of penalty corners both by Marle van Dessel on assists from Alaina Vernetti to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.
For the second time this season, Drexel came out of haltime trailing. The Dragons did not panic, however, as Mastropaolo struck less than a minute into the second period as she collected a pass from Ciufo and deposited the ball into the cage. Less than seven minutes later, Mastropaolo sat on the left post where Ciufo fired the ball. The sophomore calmly redirected the ball into the cage. Ciufo's assists extended her point-scoring streak to 12 games. She now has 11 goals and five assists this season while Mastropaolo has five goals and two assists over the last three games, her only starts of the season.
For the game, Drexel outshot the Rams, 15-6, and earned seven penalty corners to VCU's five. Colleen McAndrew made two saves in recording her ninth win of the season.
Drexel will open home conference action on Friday, Oct. 10 as the Dragons host William & Mary.
