by ALBANY, N.Y. – After giving up the opening goal of the contest, University at Albany women’s lacrosse (9-1, 3-0 AE) dismantled Vermont (8-4, 1-1 AE) 11-1 on Wednesday afternoon at John Fallon Field. Four Danes tallied three points or more in the victory.
Vermont came out looking to slow the pace down early. The Catamounts temporarily had their way; winning the first three draw controls to take a 1-0 lead. Alie Jimerson (Cayuga Nation) stepped in to tie the game up at one at the 15-minute mark of the first half.
Rachel Bowles converted on what proved to be the game-winner 45 seconds later, despite drawing a double team. The junior notched her 27th of the season, and one of three on the day.
With a draw control victory at the hands of Christine Johnson, the Dakotah Savitcheff-Maureen Keggins tandem geared up for its only connection of the day. Savitcheff fired for her 37th goal of the year, bringing on a Vermont timeout with the score 3-1 in UAlbany’s favor.
Another Dane victory on the draw put the Purple & Gold up 4-1 two minutes later. Savitcheff scored on the dish from Jimerson.
After winning its first draw in the last three attempts, Vermont tried to stall the pace of play again. Thanks to an unforced Catamount turnover, the Danes headed the other way. Bowles knocked in a free position attempt with just under seven minutes to play in the first half.
Bowles and Savitcheff would score again before the half expired. UAlbany missed its first shot of the game with less than two minutes to play, posting a shooting percentage of .889 (8-9) in the first half. Emma Powlin cut through the middle with less than one minute to play to fire on target from Keggins, making the score 8-1 Danes at the break.
Powlin kicked off the second period by winning the draw control, but UAlbany did not score again until the 17-minute mark. Savitcheff tallied her 40th season goal from Jimerson. Jimerson would assist on the ensuing UAlbany goal for her 23rd of the season to Keggins.
Sarah Martin would wrap up scoring with just over two minutes to play. The sophomore found the back of the net thanks to Keggins.
With three goals, Rachel Bowles recorded her 150th career point in the win. She is 10 goals shy of passing Jodi Battaglia on the Division I career scoring list. Keggins recorded her fifth consecutive game with more than one assist, and already ranks third all-time at UAlbany in single-season assists with 33. She needs 18 more to become the all-time leader.
Courtney Henderson made six saves and allowed just one goal to take her 9th win between the pipes.
The Danes face their toughest league test this Saturday at No. 9/8 Stony Brook (9-0, 1-0 AE). Opening draw is slated for 6:00 p.m.
