University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
No. 20 Albany
No. 20 Albany Hands Women's Lax 7-4 Loss
March 19, 2015 | Women's Lacrosse
ALBANY, N.Y. - In a battle of the nation's top offense vs. the nation's top defense, No. 20 Albany held serve against the UMass women's lacrosse team with a 7-4 win on Wednesday afternoon. The loss snapped a seven-game win streak for the Minutewomen (7-1) who played their final non-conference game of the season.
While the Great Danes (6-1) came into the game with the nation's No. 1 offense, it was a strong defensive showing the first half that proved the difference maker in the game. Albany was able to take a 3-0 lead into halftime which the Minutewomen were not able to overcome.
As the nation's No. 1 defense coming into the game, UMass managed to hold Albany to under 10 goals for just the second time this season. The Danes lead the nation averaging 15.86 goals per contest.
Neither team was able to score through the first 13 minutes of play until Dakotah Savitcheff put Albany on the board first with her 25th tally of the season. The Danes then received two more goals from Allie Jimerson over the next 13:21 of the half. Her second goal with 4:21 before intermission made it 3-0.
Albany's second leading scorer Rachel Bowles made it 4-0 on her 22nd goal of the game just under six minutes into the second half.
Katie Ott broke the scoreless drought with 23:38 left in game off a feed from Holly Turner. The pair connected once again just over four minutes later following another Albany goal making the game 5-2.
After Sarah Martin's goal with 17:33 to go pushed Albany back ahead by four, Holly Turner and Hannah Murphy each scored for UMass to make it 6-4. Turner's goal came on a free position shot, while Murphy was able to collect a ground ball amidst a scramble in front of the goal of a blocked shot.
In the final 10 minutes of play, UMass struggled on its offensive possessions with a hit post, three turnovers, and three saves by Albany goalie Courtney Henderson (all in the final 1:49 of play).
Back-to-back yellow cards with 6:47 to go put the Minutewomen down two players which led Albany's final goal of the game from Savitcheff.
Jimmerson led Albany and all players in the game with three goals, while Savitcheff had a pair of goals and an assist. Henderson earned the win in goal making seven saves.
Ott had two goals and three ground balls for UMass, while Turner finished with a goal and two assists. Murphy added seven ground balls along with three draw controls and a goal. Rachel Vallarelli made nine saves including six in the first half taking the loss in goal.
Both teams took 18 shots in the game with UMass going 0-for-7 in the first half. Albany held the edge in draw controls winning 8-of-13. Both teams committed 10 turnovers.
The Minutewomen will return to action with the start of Atlantic 10 play on March 27 and March 29 as Duquesne and George Mason visit McGuirk Stadium.
