Tigers Clinch Postseason Berth With Victory at Post

Tigers Clinch Postseason Berth With 17-7 Victory at Post

BOX SCORE


Waterbury, Conn. - The Holy Family University women's lacrosse team scored 13 first-half goals on its way to a 17-7 victory over Post University in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) contest Sunday afternoon on the road. 
 
Holy Family improves to 9-5 overall and 6-2 in conference play and in the process clinched a postseason bid into the upcoming CACC Tournament later this month.  The Tigers currently trail Philadelphia University (8-0) in the CACC South Division by two games for the top seed.  Post is now 2-11 overall and 2-6 in the CACC. 
 
Junior Brigit LaRose (Lumberton, N.J./Holy Cross) was among four Holy Family players that scored three or more goals in the victory as LaRose led all scorers with four goals.  Senior Stephanie McNesby (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), sophomore Brianna Lancetta (Marlton, N.J./Bishop Eustace) and freshman Nicole Braungart (Medford, N.J./Bishop Eustace) all scored three goals.  McNesby also tallied an assist to finish with four points.
 
Sophomore Kimber Kisselback (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) led the team with four ground balls to go along with one caused turnover on the defensive end.  Senior Maria Mattioli (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Nazareth) also caused a turnover and finished with two points after scoring a goal and assisting on another. 
 
For Post, sophomore Miranda Polaski scored four goals and assisted on another to finish with a game-high five points.  Polaski also had three ground balls and controlled three draws.  Junior Meghan Diggett added a pair of goals for the Eagles. 
 
Holy Family jumped out to a 3-0 lead after scoring the game's first three goals over a 2:35 span.  Braungart scored the game's first goal at the 28:22 mark, while McNesby and LaRose converted back-to-back free position opportunities in a :22 second span. 
 
After Post's first score of the game by freshman Jordyn Woltmann, the Tigers responded with two straight goals by Braungart and freshman Paige Settar (Mullica Hill, N.J./Clearview Regional) to lead 5-1 with 14:28 left in the half. 
 
The Eagles responded with two straight goals of their own over the next few minutes to cut the lead to 5-3 with 11:19 showing on the clock.
 
However, Holy Family exploded for eight straight goals over the final 11:19 of the half to take a commanding 13-3 lead heading into halftime.   Lancetta started the rally with a goal at the 9:47 mark, while freshman Erin Harmer (Philadelphia, Pa./Nazareth Academy) capped the scoring with six seconds remaining in the half.
 
Holy Family outshot Post by a 24-5 margin in the first half and finished the game with 38 shots compared to only 12 by the Eagles.  The Tigers also controlled the draw throughout the game with a 15-10 edge. 
 
In the second half both teams scored four goals each, including the game's final two scores by Holy Family. 
 
Freshman goalkeeper Grace Deckert (Jarrettsville, Md./Fallston) made two saves in goal for the Tigers after facing only 12 shots.  Sophomore Eryka Baez made 11 stops for the Eagles.
 
Holy Family is back in action on Wednesday, April 17 as the Tigers host Chestnut Hill College in their final home regular season CACC contest.  Prior to the game, Holy Family will recognize its three seniors as part of 'Senior Day'.  Game time is slated for 4 p.m.
 

  - HFU -