OWINGS MILLS, MD – The 2010 York College women's
lacrosse season came to an abrupt end Saturday afternoon as the
Spartans fell 17-6 at #19 Stevenson in the first round of the
Capital Athletic Conference Tournament. With the loss, the Green
and White end the campaign with a 10-6 record while the Mustangs
move on to face top-seeded and second-ranked Salisbury on Tuesday,
April 20.
York's 10-6 record for the season is the second-best mark
in the five-year history of the program. Those 10 victories also
mark just the second time that the Green and White have amassed
double-digit wins in a season.
Riding a three-game winning streak, the Spartans entered the
league playoffs with hopes of reaching the second-round for the
first time since the 2007 season. However, that effort would come
up short as the host Mustangs opened up a 6-1 lead by the 11:57
mark of the first half. Spencer Kraus tallied three of
Stevenson's first six scores.
The Spartans cut that advantage to 6-3 with back-to-back goals
from Leah Schultz (Catonsville, Md./Seton Keough)
and Meg Foy (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North).
Schultz, who had also scored York's first of the contest,
netted York's second off an assist from Kasie White
(Glen Burnie, Md./North County) with 10:28 to play. Foy
then brought the Spartans to within three with her 20th
of the season as 7:07 showed on the first half clock.
Stevenson and York would trade scores, including
Kimberly Wayson's (Harwood, Md./Southern)
team-best 57th of the year, as the Mustangs went into
the half with a 7-4 lead.
York stayed within striking distance until midway through the
second stanza.
Owning a 10-6 advantage, Stevenson embarked on a game-closing
6-1 run to effectively dash any hopes of a Spartan comeback.
Kristyna Hnizda began that spurt with 15:29 remaining while Kelli
Battista ended it with just 3:13 to play in the game.
Schultz tried to stem the tide with her fourth tally of the day
with 12:32 remaining, but it would prove too little to switch the
momentum to the Spartans' side.
For the game, the Spartans were outshot 38-21 by their hosts,
with the most glaring statistic coming in the second half.
Stevenson unleashed 20 shots in the latter frame while York was
only able to manage six attempts.
Both sides struggled in free position attempts as the Spartans
went 2-for-7, including 1-for-5 in the first half, while the
Mustangs went 1-for-4.
Standout Lisa Baker led the Stevenson attack with three goals
and four assists. Megan Weiss and Kraus each posted four
scores while Hnizda added three. Lauren Taguding led the Mustang
defensive effort as she caused four Spartan turnovers and snagged
four draw controls. Jenny Schroeder played all 60 minutes in goal
amassing seven saves.
Schultz, who came on strong for the York squad throughout the
latter half of the 2010 campaign, netted four tallies to increase
her season total to 37. Schultz finishes the year ranking second on
the squad in goals and points (44). Senior defender Kelly Vrana (West Islip, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) picked up
three draw controls and one ground ball for the Spartans.
Goalkeeper Kelsey Evans (Bel Air, Md./Fallston)
made 11 saves over her 48:20 of action before being relieved by
Tina Nicklas (Baltimore, Md./Catonsville) with
11:40 to play.
Wayson posted the best freshman season in the brief history of
the Spartan program. The rookie's 57 scores ranks her second
all-time in season goals while her 72 points is the third-best
single-season mark in school history.
With the loss however, the Spartans bid adieu to their three
senior captains. Foy, Vrana, and Courtney Heller
(Reisterstown, Md./Franklin) officially complete their
playing careers with the Green and White. Each were tremendous
contributors during their time in a Spartan uniform. This class was
part of the solid building blocks of the Spartans' bright
future, posting a four-year record of 35-32.
Despite the departure of York's three talented seniors,
the Green and White welcome back nearly 89 percent of their scoring
as well as several key components on the defensive end for the 2011
campaign as the Spartans continue to strive toward the top of the
CAC.
GAME BOX
Leah Schultz photo courtesy of Zach Clabaugh - www.sharpedgephoto.smugmug.com
