The Daily Campus

Issue date: 3/19/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Dan Gindraux Whitney Michele scored five goals and added three assists in a 14-12 loss against Harvard Wednesday.

Despite a valiant comeback attempt in the second half, the women's lacrosse team's slow start against Harvard proved to be too much of a deficit to overcome, as it lost its eighth consecutive game, 14-12, Wednesday at the Sherman Complex.

Harvard sophomore Jess Halpern scored three unassisted goals in the game's first eight minutes and the Crimson attack was relentless throughout the half. Caitlin Martin scored all five of her goals in the half. She and her teammates were able to get to the net with ease, as the Huskie defense was nowhere to be found and goalie Anna Wallingford was bombarded with 23 shots, including several fast break advantages. Despite Wallingford's effort - making eight saves - Harvard (3-3) took an 11-6 lead into the break.

After Harvard scored twice more to take a 13-7 lead early in the second period, UConn (0-8) was finally able to make key stops, allowing just a single goal during the game's final 23 minutes.

On the UConn attack, senior captain Whitney Michele continued the impressive play that has defined her four years for the Huskies, leading the team with five goals and three assists. The team also benefited from the play of several reserves, as head coach Angela McMahon called upon her bench to give the team a spark in the second half. Ashley Mitchelides scored a goal and assisted on another, while Katie Devaney had two assists of her own.

The defense benefited from the fresh legs of reserves Jamie Antonious and Meghan Bohns, who helped provide the team with energy in their comeback attempt.

"We just tried to come in and keep the ball in our attack's hands," Bohns said. "We had to put pressure on them and try to force turnovers."

In the game's final moments, UConn was able to take any and all momentum away from Harvard, as they ended the game by scoring four consecutive goals. After apparently figuring out how to beat the Crimson, however, UConn fell victim to a different opponent - time.

"I really thought we were going to win," Bohns said. "[Michele] and the attack had it going, we just couldn't get the ball back and they just killed the clock and we ran out of time."

With Bohns in pursuit, Harvard's Martin was able to keep the ball in her possession and run out the game's final moments with the two-goal advantage intact.

UConn will look to finally crack the win column as their homestand continues when they host another Ivy League opponent, Brown (3-2), on Saturday.

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