Buono Lifts Cougars Past Gwynedd-Mercy in
Overtime, 14-12
UNION, N.J. (4/17/07) - Senior
attack Gio Buono (Plainsboro, N.J.) scored eight
goals, including a pair in overtime, as the Kean University women's
lacrosse team defeated Gwynedd-Mercy College, 14-12, in overtime on
Tuesday evening.
Buono netted the game-winner just 34 seconds into overtime, as
the Cougars (5-6) snapped a two-game losing streak.
The Griffins (9-4) scored five straight goals to close out the
second half and force overtime, as freshman attack Bridget
Gibson (Philadelphia, Pa.) had two goals and an assist in
the run.
After Buono and freshman attack Joeline Bennett
(Willingboro, N.J.) gave the Cougars an early 2-0 lead,
Gwynedd-Mercy scored four unanswered goals to take a 4-2 lead less
than 10 minutes into the contest. Kean responded with six of
the next seven goals to take an 8-6 lead at halftime.
The Cougars extended their lead to 12-7 with 16:43 left in
regulation, before the Griffins quickly pulled to within one goal
with just under ten minutes remaining. Junior midfielder
Meghan Volz (Warminster, Pa.) forced overtime with
1:12 left with her first goal of the game. The Griffins had
possession of the ball with less than 30 seconds left, however Kean
senior goalkeeper Lydia Pinto (Clark,
N.J.) made a game-saving stop with just 10 seconds left in
regulation.
In the victory, Buono and Bennett scored all but one goal, as
Bennett tied her career high with five goals and added a game-high
six draw controls. Freshman attack Ashley Reynolds
(Old Bridge, N.J.) netted the first goal of the second
half to the team's other tally. In the net, Pinto made 15
saves for the game.
For Gwynedd-Mercy, Gibson led the team with three goals and two
assists, while freshman midfielder Lauren Sheils (Hanover,
Md.) added two goals and two assists. In goal,
junior Lauren Monte (Perkasie, Pa.) made seven
saves.
The Cougars return to action on Thursday, April 19, when they
travel to Farmingdale State University for a Skyline Conference
game at 4 p.m.
BOXSCORE
