March 9, 2006
Final Stats
New York, NY - The Seahawks opened the 2006 campaign with a 15-14 overtime loss to host Columbia at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium. Wagner starts the year out 0-1, while the Lions improved to 2-0 with the win.
Senior Heather George (West Allenhurst, NJ / Ocean Twp.) dominated the game offensively scoring seven goals on nine shots, while classmate Darby Biggart (Crownsville, MD / Arch. Spalding) tallied three scores and assisted on one other.
The Seahawks held a three goal lead on three separate occasions in the contest with the last coming at 10-7 following back to back goals from freshman Jessica Richmond (Jenkintown, PA / Jenkintown) and Cara Gonzalez (Syracuse, NY / Westhill) at 35:16. The Lions would then score three straight to even the count at 10-10 with 15 minutes left to play.
The two teams would trade goals over the next four minutes until George put the Seahawks up 13-12 off a helper from Biggart at the 48:52 mark. Katie Warner then knotted the score for the Lions at 13-13 in the 53rd minute to force overtime.
In OT for Columbia Holly Glynn scored with 34 seconds left in the first session - teams automatically play two periods of three minutes in overtime - but Wagner tied things up on an unassisted Biggart goal with six seconds left on the clock in the first OT.
With the score tied and two minutes left in the second OT, Lions goalkeeper Marcela Calidonio made a huge save to keep the score 14-14. With 1:34 on the clock, junior Elyse Pultz cut across the goal for the game-winner on a feed from Glynn.
The Seahawks played a tough physical game throughout led by senior Nicole Cipollone (Swathmore, PA / Ridley) with seven groundballs and three caused turnovers. Sophomore Brianne Fitzgerald (Ridge, NY / Longwood) also had a solid all around game.
In goal for Wagner freshman Amy Jones (Jarrettsville, MD / N. Harford) made 15 saves in her collegiate debut, including nine in the second half.
"Wagner took us out of our game," said Lions head coach Kerri Whitaker. "They were scrappy and physical. They flooded the midfield and got back fast on defense."
