Box Score
New Rochelle, N.Y. -- The Manhattan College women's lacrosse team had a hopeful start to its MAAC Women's Lacrosse Championship semi-final game, but couldn't keep the momentum going, falling to Fairfield University 20-8 Friday afternoon at Iona College. Manhattan ends its season with an overall record of 11-5, while the top seeded Fairfield Stags improved their overall record to 15-2 on the year, while the Jaspers fall to 11-5.
Manhattan freshman Chrissy Gutenberger ? the MAAC Rookie of the Year ? was double and triple teamed the entire match, but still led the Jaspers with three goals. Sophomore Phelicia VanOverbeke also had a hat trick for the Lady Jaspers. Julia Lavelle and Caralyn Hickey had one goal each, while Hickey and BrieAnna Spatarella had an assist each.
Manhattan controlled play for the first 12:48, scoring on five of its first-seven shots, to take a 5-2 advantage. The three-goal deficit is the largest Faiffield had faced against a MAAC foe this season. The Stags offense struggled during that same span, netting just 2-7 from the field.
But Fairfield's offense got on track with just under 16 minutes to play, as Abbey Goodwin scored a pass from Erin Rigby to make it 5-3 and begin the comeback. Fairfield scored the next five goals, netting seven of its final 13 shots in the half, to build an 8-5 halftime advantage. Fairfield picked up where it left off in the second half, scoring six straight to open the half and extend their run to 12-0.
Manhattan did not score for over 27 minutes, until Gutenberger scored a free position goal with 19:54 to play in the game. Rigby put in her third of the game 84 seconds later to push the lead back to nine, 15-6. Brittany Bare pushed the lead to double-digits with her third tally of the game, with just over 19 minutes to play in the game. The Stags took their largest lead of the game, 20-7 on a Rebecca White goal with 8:20 to play.
Kristen Coleman led Fairfield with five goals, while Abbey Goodwin netted four and Rigby, Bare and Kim Fuchs netted three each.
Lauren Chatnik earned the win in net for the Stags with a seven-save, seven-goal effort over 57:30. Kelley Bradey made a save, and allowed the final Jasper goal, in her 2:30 of action. Allison Brown made 15 saves in net for the Jaspers and played the entire game.
Fairfield dominated the draw on the day, winning 23 out of 30 and out shot Manhattan, 45-23. The Stags were good on 15 of 17 clear attempts and 4 of 9 free position chances. Fairfield committed one additional foul, 28-27, in the game, and two more turnovers, 19-17.
Fairfield advances to the title game of the MAAC Championship on Sunday, April 26, at noon, and will face the winner of the second semifinal between #2 Canisius and #3 Marist.
