Gymnastics Prevails with Big Finish on Balance Beam at Bowling Green

Saturday, February 11

Bowling Green, Ohio

2:30PM

University of New Hampshire

194.700

193.850

Bowling Green State

Photo by: Gil Talbot

Gymnastics Prevails with Big Finish on Balance Beam at Bowling Green

2/11/2017 5:53:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics

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By: Mike Murphy

BOWLING GREEN, OH – Casey Lauter (Northport, N.Y.) matched a season high with a 9.875 on the balance beam to share the individual championship on that event, as the University of New Hampshire Gymnastics team improved to 10-2 with a 194.700-193.850 win at Bowling Green State University.

Although the Wildcats were a bit shaky on the uneven bars to start the day, the team finished strongly on the beam, where Lauter, Meghan Pflieger (Barneveld, N.Y.), and Lia Breeden (York, Pa.) each hit a 9.800 or higher to secure the tenth victory of the season. Before the meet, Head Coach Gail Goodspeed discussed the goal of having five out of six gymnasts record high scores in every event. New Hampshire did just that, as at least one UNH gymnast scored a 9.800 or better in each of the four events.

MEET INFORMATION
Date: February 11, 2017 (2:30 p.m.)
Score: UNH (194.700), Bowling Green (193.850)
Records: UNH (10-2), Bowling Green (1-11)
Location: Anderson Arena | Bowling Green, Ohio

NEXT HOME MEET
The Wildcats will host their annual Stick It for the Cure meet against Temple University on Sunday, Feb. 19 (1 p.m.). Wear pink, help the 'Cats raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness while defeating the Owls at Lundholm Gym. Tickets are available HERE and at 603-862-4000.

HIGHLIGHTS

Danielle Mulligan (Farmingdale, N.Y.) earned a victory on the bars for the fourth consecutive week, and fifth meet overall, finishing with a 9.825.

Danielle Doolin (Medford Lakes, N.J.) was feted as the floor exercise champion for the second time this season after she recorded a score of 9.850. The sophomore was also the meet's only all-around competitor, totaling a 38.875.

Pflieger was New Hampshire's top scorer on the vault, earning a 9.825 while tying for second place.

HOW IT HAPPENED
New Hampshire began on the bars, where Mulligan earned yet another victory with a 9.825. The sophomore finished in first place for the fourth week in a row, and for the fifth time this season. Co-captain Jennifer King (Freehold, N.J.) finished in third place with a 9.650, and Danielle Doolin (Medford Lakes, N.J.) followed in fourth with a 9.625. The 'Cats totaled a 48.175 on the bars, defeating the Falcons who scored a 47.075.

The Wildcats then moved to the vault, where Pflieger amazed for the second straight meet. The co-captain recorded a 9.825, finishing with a share of second place. Nicole O'Leary (Newtown, Conn.) also competed strongly for UNH. The sophomore totaled a 9.800 and tied for fourth place. As a team, New Hampshire was narrowly outscored by Bowling Green in the event (48.950 to 48.900).

On the floor, Doolin led the 'Cats with her second-best performance of the season. The reigning EAGL Rookie of the Year won the event for the second time this year, recording a 9.850. Breeden was another top performer for New Hampshire. The junior finished in sixth place with a 9.775. The Wildcats, who totaled a 48.725 as a team, were again just barely beaten by the Falcons, who scored a 48.825.

In the final event of the afternoon, Lauter secured a victory on the beam for the third time this year. The junior earned a share of first place with a season-high-tying score of 9.875. Breeden and Pflieger also performed very well, as they each totaled a 9.800 and tied for fifth place. New Hampshire was again narrowly defeated by Bowling Green in the event, this time by the score of 48.825 to 48.725.

TEAM NOTES

Although the 'Cats were beaten by the Falcons in three of the four events, UNH was able to seal the win with dominant performances on the balance beam.

Mulligan, Lauter, and Doolin all came away with individual victories as New Hampshire had first place finishers on the bars, beam, and floor.

Even when the Wildcats were outscored, the difference was miniscule. In the three events that Bowling Green had higher team scores, New Hampshire was defeated by only 0.100 or less each time.

LOOKING AHEAD
Following Saturday's meet, UNH will challenge EAGL rival North Carolina on February 17 at 7 p.m. to end its road trip.

The 2017 UNH gymnastics season is presented by Happy Bodies. Visit them at www.happybodies.com. For more information on the UNH gymnastics team, visit www.unhwildcats.com.