March 14, 2009
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Senior Jillian Byers scored her 200th career goal and 250th career point as the No. 11/9 Notre Dame women’s lacrosse squad topped Hofstra, 17-15, Saturday at the Loftus Sports Center.
Byers’ 250th career point came in the form of an assist with 18:17 left in the first period. Her 200th career goal followed shortly with 12:38 left.
Byers led the Irish with six goals and one assist. Gina Scioscia notched four goals and two assists, while Shaylyn Blaney added four goals for Notre Dame. Ansley Stewart had one goal and two assists, and Kaitlin Keena and Maggie Zentgraf added one goal each. Maggie Tamasitis had an assist for the Irish.
Liz Falco led Hofstra with four goals. Corrine Gandolfi notched three goals and one assist, while Kailey Ruszkowski and Lauren Whitcomb added two goals each. Stephanie Rice, Maryann Miller, Jennalee Trombley and Kristy Bosley all scored for the Pride and Ashley Jones added an assist.
Hofstra got on the board first, as Gandolfi scored with 27:39 left in the first. Blaney answered for the Irish just three minutes later, while Byers put Notre Dame up 2-1 with 22:56 left.
Both teams traded goals until the Irish scored three straight to take a 9-5 lead with 10:26 left in the period. Hofstra added three of their own to cut the Irish lead to 9-8, but Blaney scored on a free position shot with 12 seconds left to give Notre Dame a 10-8 lead at the break.
The Irish went on a 4-1 run to open the second period and widened their lead to 14-9. The Pride went on their own 4-1 run to cut the lead to 15-13. Both teams traded goals for the rest of the period with the Irish coming out on top, 17-15.
Erin Goodman got the win in goal for the Irish, recording seven saves in 60:00. Hofstra’s Mary Cuddihy took the loss, giving up 14 goals with just nine saves.
Notre Dame improves to 6-1 on the season, while Hofstra falls to 3-3.
The Irish return to the Loftus Sports Center Tuesday to host Rutgers in a 7 p.m. matchup.
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