John Scores Six, Blue Devils Fall 17-16 to Presbyterian

Senior captain Stephanie John put forth a tremendous effort, scoring six goals and adding an assist, six draw controls and causing two turnovers, but the Central Connecticut (0-2) lacrosse team came up short in a 17-16 loss at Presbyterian College (1-2) on Friday afternoon. The Blue Devils rallied off three straight goals in a ten minute span to turn a 15-13 deficit into a 16-15 lead with five minutes remaining in the game. Presbyterian countered with two goals in the final three and a half minutes to edge out CCSU in Clinton, SC.

Central fell behind early as the Blue Hose scored the first four goals of the game with three coming from junior midfielder Brittni Dulaney within a four minute span. John first got CCSU on the board 12 minutes into the game when she scored unassisted to cut the PC lead to 4-1. The two teams traded goals back and forth until the Blue Devils made a run with just under seven minutes remaining in the first period. Freshmen attackers Ashley Perkoski and Alexa Smead started the 5-0 run when Perkoski scored off of a Smead assist with 6:42 remaining in the opening frame. John's third and fourth goals of the game bookended unassisted scores from Smead and freshman Ashley Mara to tie the game at 9-9. Dulaney would score again with 31 seconds remaining to grab a 10-9 Presbyterian lead heading into halftime.

The Blue Hose out-shot CCSU 22-21 in the first half, while recording 21 ground balls to the Blue Devils' 10. Central Connecticut was more efficient bringing the ball out of the backfield as they were successful on 10 out of 12 clears, while PC converted only 10 out of 14 in the opening frame. Both teams recorded 10 draw controls in the first half. CCSU senior goalkeeper Alice Lee tallied 10 saves to keep the Blue Devils in the opening period.

Presbyterian scored the first two goals to start the second half and took a 12-9 lead. John answered with her fifth score of the game before the Blue Hose tallied two more. CCSU found themselves down 14-10 and went on a 6-1 run started again by Perkoski. This time it was an unassisted goal with 17:14 remaining. Sophomore Michele Conway tallied her lone two goals of the game in the run. Presbyterian again finished late in the half, scoring two goals in the final three and a half minutes, including the game winner by junior Jenna Handshoe with 1:50 remaining.

The Blue Hose finished with a slight 41-38 advantage in shots, while recording 34 ground balls to the Blue Devils' 18. CCSU dominated the draw controls, tallying 21, while PC totaled 14. John record six, while sophomore Cara Momnie led Central with seven for the game.

Lee finished with 19 saves and four ground balls for the Blue Devils, while PC goalkeeper Susan England stopped 14 shots. Mara finished with three goals and two ground balls off the Central bench

Dulaney led the way for Presbyterian with five goals, two assists and five ground balls, while junior Jordan Newberry and freshman Kristin Stenoien each chipped in with three scores.

Central Connecticut will continue their road trip with a game against Davidson on Sunday March 1 at 12:00 p.m. Presbyterian will also be playing next on March 1 when they host St. Mary's (CA) at 1:00 p.m.