Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
La Salle
Bill, Johnson Score Three Each as Drexel Slides Past La Salle, 15-12
3/5/2008 6:54:41 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Philadelphia – Drexel used a 10-0 run that spanned both halves as the Dragons downed La Salle, 15-12, in a non-conference women's lacrosse game played at the Explorers' McCarthy Stadium. Jessica Bill (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville) and Gwenna Johnson (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) each netted three goals while Sarah Carter (Columbia, Md./Long Reach) added two goals and an assist. The win bumped the Dragons' season record to 5-1, including a 4-0 mark on the road, while La Salle drooped to 0-4.
The Explorers opened the game with the first two scores before the Drexel offense came alive. Johnson notched her first goal of the day less than seven minutes into the game igniting a 4-0 run that was capped by Bill's first tally of the game to make the score, 4-2. Emily Bonczek responded for the Explorers stopping the run midway through the first half and starting a 5-0 La Salle run in which Bonczek scored three of the five scores. The game appeared to be heading into halftime with the Explorers holding on to a comfortable 7-4 lead with less than a minute to go in the opening period. After a shot by La Salle's Stefany McKee sailed wide, the Dragons gained control of the ball and were able to clear. On the offensive end, Katie Lawson (Sewell, N.J./Washington Township) was able to fire a shot that found the back of the net with just 23 seconds remaining in the half that cut into the Explorers' lead. On the ensuing draw, Johnson corralled the ball and eventually got the ball to Carter who beat La Salle goalie Ellen Axelsen with just 13 seconds remaining in the half. The lightning quick goals spurred the Drexel 10-0 run.
Coming out of the break, Nicole Iacono (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown), making her first start of the season, scored on a Katie Bradley (Spring City, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) assist. Just 80 seconds later it was Kaitlin Keegan (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) who notched her second goal of the game to give the Dragons the lead. Bill and Johnson each followed with a goal as Drexel pulled away for good. Drexel's final goal of the run came with 13 minutes remaining as Bill notched her fourth of the day, this one on a Becca Drylie-Perkins (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) assist. La Salle scored two goals to close the gap to 14-9 before Johnson tallied her fourth of the day with just 5:09 remaining. Bonczek scored the game's final three goals as the Dragons came away with the 15-12 victory.
Drexel outshot the Explorers, 31-28, and held a 16-11 edge on draws. Drexel's Lauren LaBella (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) made 10 saves in goal while Axelsen stopped eight shots in taking the loss. Kimberly Kabernagel (Levittown, Pa./Conwell Egan) led the Dragons in draw controls with three and caused turnovers with two.
The Dragons return to action Wednesday, March 12 when Drexel will travel to Lehigh for a non-conference game. Game time is 3:30 p.m.
Scoring Summary
D 6-9-15
L 7-5-12
Individual Scoring
Drexel: Gwenna Johnson 3-0, Jessica Bill 3-0, Sarah Carter 2-1, Kaitlin Keegan 2-0, Becca Drylie-Perkins 2-1, Nicole Iacono 1-0, Katie Lawson 1-0, Katie Bradley 1-1. Saves: Lauren LaBella 10.
La Salle: Emily Bonczek 7-0, Erika Matthews 2-1, Elizabeth Iacullo 1-0, Kelly Heiss 1-0, Allie Venuti 1-0, Brittany White 0-1. Saves: Ellen Axelsen 8, Schenellenbach 3.
Shots: D 31, L 28
Groundballs: D 10, L 17
Draw Controls: D 16, L 11
Free-position shots: D 1-3, L 1-8
