BOX SCORE

Staten Island, NY – The Wagner College women's lacrosse team put up a valiant effort vs. defending NEC champion Sacred Heart, coming up on the short end of a 9-7 decision at cold and wind-swept Wagner College Stadium. 

With the loss, the Seahawks fall to 1-7 on the season while the Pioneers improve to 5-4. 

Wagner led 3-2 following a goal by junior attack Karen Vitkus (Skaneateles, NY/Skaneateles) off an assist from junior Dana Marchitelli (Annapolis, MD/South River) with 14:48 left in the first half. The Pioneers then countered with five consecutive goals to go into halftime with a 7-3 lead. 

The lead grew to 8-3 at the outset of the second half but Wagner would not go away easily as the Seahawks scored four of the final five goals of the game to make it interesting. 

Sophomore midfielder Carolyn Clark (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) started the Wagner rally with a goal off a free position shot with 24:43 left to play. Sophomore midfielder Melanie Garces (San Diego, CA/Westview) then slammed home another free position attempt to make it an 8-5 game with 16:13 left. Sacred Heart's Jackie Pierce countered with a goal on a free position shot with 10:25 left to put Sacred Heart on top, 9-5. 

Wagner then received goals from Clark and senior midfielder Teri Noll (Elbridge, NY/Jordan-Elbridge) over the final 5:05 to make it a 9-7 deficit but the Pioneers managed to hold on for the victory. 

Clark and Vitkus paced Wagner with two goals apiece while Marchitelli had one goal and one assist. Sacred Heart received great balance on the offensive end as four different players tallied two goals apiece in Carissa Hauser, Kaitlin Rochler, Kate Kmiotek and Alicia Fuchs. Pierce had a game-high three assists for the Pioneers. 

Sacred Heart out-shot Wagner 29-21, led in draw controls 12-6 and in ground balls 21-14. 

Wagner is next in action on Sunday, March 28 when the Seahawks host Villanova at 1:30 pm. 

NOTES - Following the game, former Seahawk basketball great Joey Mundweiler became engaged to Teri Noll during a brief ceremony at midfield.