Score: Cazenovia College 9 – Elmira College 6
Records: Cazenovia (2-2), Elmira (0-4)
Location: Ernie Davis Academy – Elmira, N.Y.
 
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's lacrosse team suffered a three-goal loss to Cazenovia College, 9-6, on a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon on the turf field at the Ernie Davis Academy. With the loss, Elmira's 2017 record dropped to 0-4.
 
It only took 41 seconds for the first goal of today's contest to be scored, as Cazenovia's Kaitlin Sheppard put the Wildcats on top early, 1-0. Kyra McDonald '18 answered 21 seconds later with her third tally of the season on an assist from Rachel Grampp '18, tying the score at 1-1.
 
Patricia Breen scored back-to-back goals for the Wildcats almost exactly 10 minutes apart at the 28:05 and 18:03 minute marks of the first half. The first of Breen's goals came on free-position attempt.
 
Following Breen's second strike, EC's Sarah Hughson '18 collected one of her two draw controls of the afternoon, which set up a transition goal for the Soaring Eagles at the 17:47 mark. Scoring on the fast break was Hayley Baker '19, who scored unassisted from close range to cut the Wildcat lead to 3-2.
 
Two Soaring Eagle turnovers created a pair of scoring chances for Breana Howe and Sheppard, both of whom scored in on their chances at the 11:53 and 10:51 marks, respectively. The two Cazenovia tallies gave the Wildcats a three-goal cushion, 5-2.
 
Elmira looked to chip away at the Wildcat lead, but errant passes by the Purple and Gold resulted in four turnovers and zero shot attempts over the next nine-plus minutes. However, a yellow card issued to Cazenovia's Amanda Dyer for a dangerous shot attempt put the Soaring Eagles up a player at 1:55, which helped EC successfully clear its zone.
 
Following the clear, Baker drove into the scoring lane but was fouled on the attempt, setting up a free-position attempt with 1:15 on the clock. Baker cashed-in on one of Elmira's five free-position shots just seven seconds later to trim the Cazenovia lead to 5-3. Baker would have another chance before the first-half horn sounded, but that attempt caromed off the post as the Purple and Gold entered the halftime break with a two-goal deficit.
 
Baker's goal and close-call to end the second half seemed to ignite the Soaring Eagles after the halftime break, as Hughson caused one of her career-high seven turnovers to create another fast-break opportunity for EC. On the break, Grampp received a pass from Hughson and carried it into the offensive zone before dishing it to rookie Rachael Goetz '20, who buried the shot to pull the Purple and Gold to within one, 5-4.
 
Elmira's one-goal deficit stood for over 12 minutes, as neither team was able to break through for a score, until Cazenovia's Breen scored her third and final goal of the afternoon to push the Wildcat lead back to two, 6-4. Nearly five minutes later Sheppard padded the lead with another tally, increasing Cazenovia's advantage to 7-4 with 11:42 to play in regulation.
 
The goal from Sheppard forced an Elmira timeout, a move that paid off for the Soaring Eagles, as they went on to win the ensuing draw control and score shortly after. Tallying for the EC women at the 11:21 mark was Kelsey Quail '17, her fifth of the season, on an assist from Grampp.
 
Unfortunately this was as close as Elmira would get, as the Wildcats struck for back-to-back goals at 6:59 and 2:29 to take an insurmountable 9-5 lead. EC's Baker found the back of the cage with less than one second remaining in regulation, a mere consolation, as the Wildcats marched away with a 9-6 victory.
 
Turning Point
Quail's goal at 11:21 pulled Elmira back to within two goals, 7-5, and with plenty of time left to make a complete comeback for the win. However, a draw control won by Cazenovia's Breana Howe would result in a free-position for her at the 6:59 mark, one that she converted to make it a three-goal game. EC's Mae Dinh '18 was fouled on a shot that made its way past Cazenovia goalkeeper Abigal Kortz, but the whistle took the goal off of the scoreboard and awarded Elmira a free-position that it was unable to convert.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Cazenovia held a 26-to-24 advantage in shots and a 21-to-15 lead in shots on goal.
• The Soaring Eagles committed 27 turnovers compared to 25 for the Wildcats.
• Both teams struggled to clear their zone, as EC went 10-for-19 and Caz 12-for-24.
• The ground-ball count ended in favor of Elmira, 24-to-23.
• Elmira also won more draw controls than Cazenovia, 9-to-7.
• The Wildcats connected on 2-of-6 free-position shots, while Elmira went 1-for-5.
• Grampp (0g, 3a) and Baker (2g, 1a) paced the Purple and Gold with three points apiece.
• Goetz was EC's only other mutli-point scorer with two, both on goals.
• Hughson was held without a point but amassed game-high totals in ground balls (9) and caused turnovers (7).
• Quail finished with one goal and a team-high three draw controls.
• Dinh, Hughson and Goetz each finished with two wins on the draw control.
• Lindsay Wargo '17 made 12 saves in 60 minutes of action between the posts.

 
News and Notes

• Elmira's 13 caused turnovers are a season high.
• EC's 24 ground balls mark the second time this season the team has produced 20-plus.
• Hughson's nine ground balls and seven caused turnovers were both career highs.
• The last player to produce nine ground balls and seven caused turnovers was Moorea Spoljaric '16, who logged 11 in both categories last season against Wells College.
• Grampp's three assists are a career high.
• Wargo's 12 saves this afternoon were a season high.

 
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles return to action next Tuesday, March 28, when the Elmira women open Empire 8 Conference play on the road at Ithaca College. The opening draw is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Ithaca, New York.