WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Feb. 13, 2013) - The William
and Mary lacrosse team opened the 2013 season with a 17-13 victory against
American at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field on Wednesday afternoon.
Playing in
cold and rainy conditions, the Tribe (1-0) utilized at 6-1 run early in the
second half to break the game open and maintained a comfortable lead for much
of the final 22 minutes.
A trio of
Tribe standouts led the team with five points apiece, as junior Taelor Salmon
(4g, 1a), sophomore Ellen Shaffrey (4g, 1a) and sophomore Kaleigh Noon (1g, 4a)
all provided significant production. Shaffrey recorded her four goals on just
five shots, while her stat line also included four draw controls. Senior Katie
Stillwell registered a pair of goals and a team-high five draw controls, while
senior Kyrstin Mackrides tallied four points (3g, 1a).
Although
American (0-1) took an early 2-1 lead following a goal by Nicole Lombardo with
24:35 showing, the Tribe responded with three consecutive scores to build a 4-2
advantage midway through the opening half. Salmon provided the final two goals,
the second of which came after she utilized a spin move to split two defenders
at the top of the arc before slicing down the middle for the score.
The Eagles closed
the first half with four of the final six goals, as the teams took a 6-6 tie
into the locker room.
After trading
a goal apiece in the opening few minutes of the second stanza, W&M charged
ahead with a 6-1 run to lead 13-8 with 18:49 remaining. Shaffrey and Mackrides
both provided a pair of scores during the stretch.
Although AU
countered with a 4-1 run to narrow the margin to 14-12 with 8:10 left, the
Tribe quickly pulled back ahead with three unanswered goals. Salmon tallied the
first two scores during the spurt, while Stillwell capped off the run with a
goal to help secure the season-opening victory.
W&M
outshot AU, 35-23, and held an advantage in ground balls (22-14) and draw
controls (16-15).
Kimberly
Collins led American with a game-high six points (5g, 1a), while Emily Maher
recorded a game-high six draw controls.
The Tribe will
return to action when it plays at No. 7 Duke on Sunday at 3 p.m.
