William and Mary Lacrosse Falls at Hofstra

Box Score

04/13/08 8:47PM

Hempstead, N.Y. - William and Mary’s 18th-ranked women’s lacrosse squad battled to the final whistle in trying to overcome an eight goal deficit, but the late rally fell short in the team’s 10-8 loss at Hofstra University on Sunday afternoon.

The loss put the Tribe’s record at 6-8 on the season (2-2 in CAA), while Hosftra improved to 3-2 in CAA play and 6-7 overall.

After Tribe sophomore Mary Zulty (Jarrettsville, Md.) opened the game scoring off an assist from junior attacker Julia Martin (Woodside, Calif.) less than a minute into play, the Pride took control of the scoreboard for the majority of the next 40 minutes of game clock. Though it took nearly nine minutes for Hofstra to solve the College’s defense, the Pride’s first goal at 21:01 started a run that saw it score 10 of the game’s next 11 goals. Hofstra finished the first half on a 5-0 run, which sent the teams to the half with the Tribe trailing 5-1.

The Pride was the first to the twine in the second half, as it scored less than a minute into play (29:03). Tribe senior all-American candidate Jaime Sellers (Kennebunk, Maine) temporarily stemmed the tide, finding success on a free position shot earned at 27:28. But Hofstra’s 6-2 lead quickly grew to 10-2 over the next four minutes, as the Pride strung together four-straight goals, starting at with Steph Rice’s unassisted score at 26:38 and ending with at solo run by Lauren Whitcomb at 22:25.

With its collective backs to the wall, the Tribe reached deep and found its way back into the game. Starting with an unassisted score by freshman midfielder Grace Golden (Manhasset, N.Y.) at 21:59, the College took its turn at dominating play. The College would score the game’s final six goals, ending with junior midfielder’s Clare Dennis’ (Baltimore, Md.) conversion of a free position attempt with just over three minutes to play. The final three minutes of play were tense for the Pride as all the game’s momentum seemed to rest squarely on the Tribe’s sideline. Hofstra keeper Maisie Osteen denied a crucial Tribe attempt in the final minutes, after which the Pride came away with a critical ground ball and was able to successfully burn the remainder of the game clock.

Along with the final score, the game was also played very tight in all the major statistical categories, as William and Mary held the slight edge in both shots (24-22) and draws (13-7) and Hofstra had the advantage in ground balls (17-13) and turnovers (15 to the Tribe’s 16).

Individually, the College was led by Dennis and Sellers, who each collected a pair of goals. The afternoon extended what has been a stellar season for Sellers, as she has scored in each of the Tribe’s 13 games (with 10 games of three, or more, goals). Dennis also contributed two ground balls and caused a pair of turnovers. On the defensive end, senior Ashley Bolton (Narberth, Pa.) and freshman Emma Starnes (Richmond, Va.) each gathered a pair of ground balls and caused turnovers.

The next action for the College will come this Friday, as the team continues its league play with a 7:00 pm draw against Towson at Albert/Daly Field.