For Immediate Release: March 16, 2008
Contact: Anthony G. Naglieri (sports@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-2956

Women's Lacrosse's Comeback Bid Falls Short at Canisius, 9-7

Box Score

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Binghamton put forth a gallant second-half effort, but its comeback bid fell short as the Bearcats dropped a 9-7 decision at Canisius in women's lacrosse action Sunday at the Demske Sports Complex.

The host Golden Griffs (2-3) scored four of the game's first five goals, staking claim to a 6-2 halftime advantage. The Bearcat women, however, came out rejuvenated in the second half of play and rallied back from the four-goal deficit with a 5-1 run to even the score at 7-7 with 14:06 left to play.

Canisius, picked to finish second in the MAAC preseason poll, stemmed the BU run with a score at the 11:04 mark to regain the lead and tacked on an insurance goal just over two minutes later to create the final margin.

"I thought in the second half we came out with much more intensity and really played until the end - which was a great sign for us," first-year head coach Tony Zostant said. "We still had some trouble in between the thirties. We are a young team and will make young mistakes under pressure, but we 'll continue to work on clearing those up. Overall, I thought it was a well-played game and thought we hustled until the end.

Four freshmen accounted for all the Bearcat scoring on the afternoon led by Erica Hill's (Delmar, N.Y.) three-goal effort.

Hill had a pair of markers during the Binghamton surge, the first off an assist from Julia Demuth (Jordan, N.Y.) at the 27:09 mark and the second a game-tying score off a feed from the Bearcats' scoring leader Ali Castiglie (Middle Island, N.Y.). Hill now has five goals and six points in the last two games.

Castiglie finished the afternoon with a goal and an assist. She has now recorded a point in each of the BU's eight games and leads the team with 23 points on the season.

Fellow freshman Beth Moore (Hauppauge, N.Y.) had a pair of goals, while classmate Kate Concialdi (Yorktown, N.Y.) added a score to round out BU's scoring. Moore also added four ground balls.

Freshman Lauren Scott (Jarrettsville, Md.) and senior Sandra Alvarez (Port Washington, N.Y.) split time in goal for the Bearcats. Scott made nine saves and allowed three goals in the final 30 minutes, while Alvarez got the starting nod and finished with two saves.

Sophomore Christina Smith (Somers, N.Y.) turned in another solid effort on the defensive end, finishing with a game-high five ground balls, two caused turnovers, and a draw control.

Emily Maguire and Marissa Brown each had a pair of goals to lead Canisius.

Binghamton (3-5, 0-1 AE) returns to action Tuesday when they host LeMoyne at 7 p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex. The Bearcat women have won three of four home contests this season.

Notes: The Griffs and Bearcats have played each other four previous times, with Canisius emerging victorious three times...The two teams last played in 2006 with Canisius winning, 16-8.