Croke Scores Three Goals in 9-8 Loss at Albany

Saturday, April 15

Albany, NY

12 PM

University of New Hampshire

2-12, 2-3AE

Albany

9-4, 4-1AE

New Hampshire

UAlbany

Photo by: Elise Austin-Washburn

4/15/2017 3:31:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

ALBANY, N.Y. – Devon Croke (Norwell, Mass.) scored three goals to lead the University of New Hampshire attack, but the University at Albany scored with 18 seconds left in regulation to edge the Wildcats, 9-8, in Saturday afternoon's women's lacrosse matchup at John Fallon Field.

In addition to Croke, Krissy Schafer (Longmeadow, Mass.; two goals) and Marissa Gurello (Manorville, N.Y.; goal, assist) also tallied multiple points for the Wildcats. Kate Clancy (Barrington, R.I.) made three saves both halves for a total of six.

Emma Powlin (2g, 4a) and Sarah Martin (3g, 1a) were Albany's top point producers. Dakotah Savitcheff scored two goals, including the game-winning free-position goal. Erin Leghart was credited with 11 saves and preserved the win with a save as the final horn sounded.

UNH is now 2-12 overall and 2-3 in America East. Albany improved to 9-4, 4-1.

NEXT HOME GAME (Senior Day): Saturday, April 22 vs. Binghamton, 12 p.m.

GAME INFORMATION
Date: April 15, 2017 (12 p.m.)
Location: John Fallon Field
Attendance: 276
Score: Albany 9, University of New Hampshire 8
Updated Records: UNH (2-12, 2-3 America East), UA (9-4, 4-1 AE)

GOALS
UNH (8) Devon Croke (3), Krissy Schafer (2), Marissa Gurello, Michele Smith, Carly Wooters
UA (9) Sarah Martin (3), Emma Powlin (2), Dakotah Savitcheff (2), Kenzie Neal, Sam Tortora

ASSISTS
UNH (2) Marissa Gurello, Rebecca Sennott
UA (5) Emma Powlin (4), Sarah Martin

SAVES
UNH Kate Clancy 3-3–6 (9 GA) {60:00} [loss]
UA Erin Leghart 6-5-11 (8 GA) {60:00} [win]

GAME RECAP

There were six ties (1-5 & 8) and four lead changes.
Albany opened the scoring on the combination from Powlin to Martin at 28:48.
UNH scored goals 64 seconds apart to take a 2-1 lead. Schafer raced down the right side of the fan for her 28^th goal of the season at 20:30, then Michele Smith (Wantagh, N.Y.) finished Gurello's feed at 19:26.
Savitcheff netted a free-position goal at 18:36 to knot the score at 2.
Croke also converted a free position into a goal when she dodged from the top of the fan to the right side. That tally, her 21^st of the year, put the Wildcats back in front, 3-2, at 12:57.
The combination of Powlin to Martin forged the third tie of the game at 7:28 and then Powlin set up Sam Tortora's goal 59 seconds later to give the Great Danes a 4-3 lead they took into halftime.
The 'Cats opened the second half with consecutive goals to regain the lead, 5-4. Rebecca Sennott (Westford, Mass.) fended off a pair of defenders in the middle of the fan and slipped a pass to Schafer, who finished low on the left side to tied the score 4-4 at 26:49. Croke scored her second of the game at 21:04.
Albany responded with four consecutive goals – the 4-0 run was the longest by either team – to build the largest lead of the game, 8-5, with 8:44 on the clock.
The Wildcats clawed back within 8-6 when Croke dodged left-to-right across the top of the fan and ripped a shot into the cage at 6:52.
Gurello converted a free position from the top of the fan into a goal with a low shot to lift the 'Cats within 8-7 at 4:50.
The Great Danes controlled the ensuing draw and called time out at 4:34, but New Hampshire made two big defensive stops – Clancy denied Emily Mizer at 3:18 and then Hope Kissick (Cohasset, Mass.) caused a turnover with Gurello corralling the ground ball at 1:38 to keep the margin at one goal.
At the other end of the field, Carly Wooters (White Plains, N.Y.) tied the game, 8-8, with 53 seconds on the clock.
Albany won the draw control and called a timeout with 34 seconds left in regulation. Savitcheff was awarded a free position at the top of the fan and put the home team back in front, 9-8, with 18 seconds to play.
Wooters gained possession on the ensuing draw to give the 'Cats a chance to tie the score, but Croke's shot from the left wing was stopped by Leghart as the horn sounded.

'CAT NIPS

Wooters' goal extended her point streak to a team-best nine games.
Croke has a four-game point streak with four consecutive multiple-point games; she has eight goals and five assists for 13 points in that span.
Gurello has a four-game goal streak with six goals and two assists.
Smith also has a four-game point streak (2g, 2a).
Schafer leads the 'Cats in goals (29) and points (31). Croke is next with 23 goals and 30 points.
UNH committed a season-low nine turnovers.

SHOTS
UNH: 14-16–30 … UA: 17-13–30

GROUND BALLS
UNH: 11-6–17… UA: 8-9–17

DRAW CONTROLS
UNH: 2-7–9 … UA: 6-4–10

TURNOVERS
UNH: 5-4–9 … UA: 10-5–15

NEW HAMPSHIRE LEADERS
Points (3): Devon Croke
Goals (3): Devon Croke
Assists (1): Marisa Gurello, Rebecca Sennott
Shots (7): Devon Croke, Carly Wooters
Ground balls (3): Kate Clancy, Anna Vogt
Draw controls (4): Carly Wooters
Caused Turnovers (1): Hope Kissick, Teagan Northrup, Cat Sennott, Anna Vogt, Carly Wooters