No. 11 Virginia Dominates Second Half, Earns 14-7 Victory at George Mason

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FAIRFAX, Va. – The No. 11 Virginia women’s lacrosse team used 12 second-half goals to erase an even 2-2 halftime score and earn a 14-7 victory over in-state rival George Mason Wednesday night. With the win, the Cavaliers move to 5-0 against teams from Virginia this year and 9-5 overall. The loss drops the Patriots to 3-10 this season.

Junior Josie Owen led Virginia with a career-high five scores, while classmate Julie Gardner tacked on three goals and one assist. Freshman Dana Boyle had two scores for the Cavaliers, while sophomores Annie Thomas and Caroline McTiernan, in addition to freshmen Christie Donovan and Katie Slater, each had one goal. Senior Ainsley Baker and junior Charlie Finnigan rounded out the scoring with an assist each.

For George Mason, Emily Ellisen, Allie Hilderbrandt and Madalyn Jamison all had two goals, while Mary Schwartz had the other.

George Mason opened the scoring in the game with a goal less than three minutes into play. Just over 15 minutes later, Owen stuck a free position shot in the top corner and then fired a second-consecutive shot into the back of the net – assisted by Finnigan – 16 seconds later to give Virginia a 2-1 advantage.

A second score by the Patriots at the 5:50 mark gave the two teams an even 2-2 score heading into halftime. The score marked the lowest scoring output in a half for Virginia this year.

The Cavaliers broke the stalemate within the first minute of the second half and never looked back. Gardner scored first at 29:39, before Thomas tacked on an 8-meter goal 24 seconds later to give Virginia a 4-2 advantage.

Another Patriot score kept George Mason within one, but Virginia rattled off six-unanswered goals to earn a 12-4 advantage with 7:23 to play. McTiernan started the run with a score at 17:35, before Gardner sandwiched goals around one from Boyle. Donovan then notched the first collegiate score of her career at 8:58 and Owen capped off the run with her fifth goal of the day at 7:23.

George Mason halted the streak at 5:43, before Boyle recorded her second goal of the night to push UVa ahead, 13-5. Slater rounded out the scoring for Virginia with her first collegiate goal 30 seconds later.

The Patriots notched the last two goals of the game to bring the final score to 14-7.

Sophomore Megan Dunleavy led the defense with five ground balls, while senior All-American Liz Downs recorded three caused turnovers. Senior Marghi Walters, in addition to freshmen Lauren Goerz and Meghan Helm each won two draw controls.

In goal, sophomore Kim Kolarik stopped six shots while only allowing five.

Up next, Virginia will head to the 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships in Cary, N.C. First round games are set for Thursday, April 21, with the semifinals taking place on Friday, April 22. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday, April 24 at 1 p.m.

Seeding for the championship will be announced at approximately 4 p.m., on Saturday, April 16.