Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/29/09
After winning 26 consecutive games, the defending NCAA Division II champion West Chester women’s lacrosse team now finds itself in the throes of a two-game losing streak.
The top-ranked Golden Rams, who dropped an 11-9 decision to sixth-ranked Mercyhurst College Saturday, suffered another stunning loss today to 10th-ranked Gannon, 14-13. Both Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference cross-over games were played in Erie, Pa.
Gannon (8-2) improves its win streak to six straight in the process. The weekend trip marked the end of a season-opening eight-game road swing for the Golden Rams, who open a six-game homestand on Wednesday against Kutztown.
Gina DiDomenicis scored the second of her two tallies on the day with 1:51 left in the contest that pulled West Chester to within one, 14-13. However, the equalizer would not come. The Golden Rams outscored the Golden Knights by a 6-2 margin over the final 15 minutes of the game. But, the visitors could not complete the comeback bid.
Gannon went on a 5-0 run in the first half that opened up a 9-4 advantage for the hosts. WCU responded with three straight markers before the end of the half to cut the deficit to two at the break.
However, the Knights came out of the locker room on fire, scoring three times to open another five-goal lead (12-7) nine minutes into the second half.
Claire Grimwood (4 goals) then tallied a natural hat trick with three straight goals within a 1:28 span that narrowed the lead back to two, 12-10.
Mary Beth Green (Henderson) made nine saves in the loss. Acacia Cook also was credited with nine saves.
On Saturday, Mercyhurst College (7-0) went on a 4-0 run, holding West Chester scoreless over the final 11 minutes of the game, to come from behind and score the upset.
Chrissy Stokes (Plymouth Whitemarsh) scored her second tally of the game with 11:42 left. But, that was the last time the Golden Rams would dent the Lakers’ twine while the hosts went on a 4-0 run over the next six minutes to turn West Chester’s 9-7 lead into an 11-9 advantage for Mercyhurst.
Courtney Whiting (Downingtown East), Jackie Baker (Penncrest) and DiDomenicis each scored two goals.
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