Charlotte, N.C.- Brittany Barnwell (Lorton, Va., Bishop Ireton) recorded a hat trick in today's women's lacrosse game as Queens University of Charlotte fell to Lock Haven University this afternoon at the Queens Sports Complex. The Eagles, who are ranked third in the nation, outscored the Royals 23-11 to open their season at 1-0. Queens falls to 2-5 on the year and are still 1-0 in Conference Carolinas play.
The first half of play was very evenly matched between the two teams outside of the Eagles ability to capitalize on goals. Kelley Duffey (New Hope, Minn. , Robinsdale Cooper ) scored the first goal for the Royals attacking from the behind the right side of the net not a minute after the first goal for Lock Haven to tie the game up at 1-1. It was the only tie of the game as the Eagles scored four more goals over the next five minutes to take the lead at 5-1. Barnwell broke up the scoring for the Eagles firing the ball into the net with 20:08 on the clock. She was soon followed by another goal by Duffey bringing the Royals to within three, 6-3. That's as close as Queens would get to the Eagles as they continued to place the ball in the cage throughout the half. Caitlin O'Rourke ( Winter Springs, Fla., Winter Springs ) and Enna Saffos (Centerville, Md., Queen Anne) scored the final two goals of the half for Queens off of feeds from Duffey giving the game a halftime score of 15-5.
Stats were almost even across the boards at the half. Queens had nine draw controls to Lock Havens 11, and 18 shots to their 21. Ground balls were even at 14 and Queens improved in taking care of the ball with only eight turnovers at the half.
The Royals came out in the second half ready to score as Shannon Casey (Bel Air, Md., John Carroll) got the first goal of the half preventing a running clock. After about five minutes of play without a goal from either team, Brittany Philip (Corning, N.Y., Corning East) scored her only goal of the game in a free position shot making the score 15-7. The Royals defense held the Eagles off from scoring until Kate Smyth netted one off a pass from Jaimie Uzialko around the 22 minute mark. Queens' defense in the second half improved to hold the Eagles to only eight goals. The margin in the first half was just too much for the Royals to come back from. The Royals offense scored four more second half goals; one was a free position shot from Barnwell.
Queens finished the game winning 18 of 35 draw controls and collecting 25 ground balls. Lock Haven outshot the Royals 39-30. Rebecca Markle (Hampstead, Md., North Carroll ) recorded 12 saves in the loss.
In addition to Barnwell's hat trick, Saffos, Casey, and Duffey each had two goals. Duffey also recorded three asssits. She currently leads the conference in assists with 17 total. Philip led all players with six draw controls. Kristi Kemp (Lake Mary, Fla., Winter Springs) and Casey scooped up four ground balls.
Leigh Titus of Lock Haven led her team with seven goals, two assists, four ground balls, and six draw controls. Elyse Fisher tallied six goals and one assist while Kate Smyth scored five goals. Kayleigh Johnson recorded three goals and three assists.
The Royals are back in action Thursday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m. in a home game against Edinboro University.
