Spring Break
Tupper's four points lead Huskies in win
Max Jabbonsky
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Sports
Despite a second-half scare, the UConn women's lacrosse team (3-12, 2-4) was able to make their last home game of the season a good one, staving off a comeback attempt by Holy Cross (4-11) on their way to a 10-9 win.
Shortly after the seven UConn seniors were honored in pre-game "Senior Night" festivities, the Huskies were able to channel their emotion into dominating the first half of play. Senior co-captains Whitney Michele and Kim McGinty each scored twice and freshman goalie Anna Wallingford made five saves as UConn went into the break with a commanding 7-2 lead.
Shortly after intermission, however, the Huskies looked as though they were going to continue the trend of inconsistent play that has plagued them all season.
When Holy Cross' Katie Gardner found the back of the net to bring the Crusaders within a goal, the UConn sideline looked distraught. The entire team appeared to be thinking "oh no, not again."
That's when UConn assistant coach Steve Wagner looked at his players and reminded them of something that they had apparently lost track of, screaming "Ladies, we're winning!"
His players responded immediately, becoming more vocal and energetic than they had been all game, including when they held a five-goal advantage. After Holy Cross' Megan Fenton scored two minutes later, tying the game at nine, the energy did not stop. After the UConn defense gained control of the ball, they got it into the hands of one of their top playmakers, freshman Kiersten Tupper. Tupper found a cutting Katy Ryan, who shot and scored to give the Huskies the lead.
"We've had a rough season, but [Wagner] wasn't going to let us beat ourselves," Michele said. "The win was right in front of us, and we just had to keep making plays. Kiersten and Katy made a big one."
After controlling the draw at midfield, though, Holy Cross marched down the field and made a play of their own. Despite two saves from Wallingford and an impressive stand by fifth-year senior Meghan Nanfeldt ad the Huskies defense, extra chances allowed Gardner to score for the fourth time of the night and, once again, the score was tied.
Less than two minutes later, Tupper was fouled in front of the net and awarded a free position shot. She converted, and the Huskies had a lead - one that they would not relinquish. Senior Ashley Mitchelides added an insurance goal with just under two minutes to play and, after Holy Cross cut the lead to one with a minute left, sophomore Meghan Bohns tracked down her second ground ball of the game and found Michele.
"I knew there were only a few seconds left at that point," Michele said. "None of us were going to let [Holy Cross] get the ball back."
Michele passed to Ryan on the left sideline, and the clock shortly hit zero.
"We all really wanted to get a win in our last home game," Michele said, with a smile. "I'm not going to lie, it feels really good."
Michele and the rest of the Huskies will take the field for their last game of the season on Saturday, when they travel to South Bend to take on the No. 9 Fighting Irish.
Shortly after the seven UConn seniors were honored in pre-game "Senior Night" festivities, the Huskies were able to channel their emotion into dominating the first half of play. Senior co-captains Whitney Michele and Kim McGinty each scored twice and freshman goalie Anna Wallingford made five saves as UConn went into the break with a commanding 7-2 lead.
Shortly after intermission, however, the Huskies looked as though they were going to continue the trend of inconsistent play that has plagued them all season.
When Holy Cross' Katie Gardner found the back of the net to bring the Crusaders within a goal, the UConn sideline looked distraught. The entire team appeared to be thinking "oh no, not again."
That's when UConn assistant coach Steve Wagner looked at his players and reminded them of something that they had apparently lost track of, screaming "Ladies, we're winning!"
His players responded immediately, becoming more vocal and energetic than they had been all game, including when they held a five-goal advantage. After Holy Cross' Megan Fenton scored two minutes later, tying the game at nine, the energy did not stop. After the UConn defense gained control of the ball, they got it into the hands of one of their top playmakers, freshman Kiersten Tupper. Tupper found a cutting Katy Ryan, who shot and scored to give the Huskies the lead.
"We've had a rough season, but [Wagner] wasn't going to let us beat ourselves," Michele said. "The win was right in front of us, and we just had to keep making plays. Kiersten and Katy made a big one."
After controlling the draw at midfield, though, Holy Cross marched down the field and made a play of their own. Despite two saves from Wallingford and an impressive stand by fifth-year senior Meghan Nanfeldt ad the Huskies defense, extra chances allowed Gardner to score for the fourth time of the night and, once again, the score was tied.
Less than two minutes later, Tupper was fouled in front of the net and awarded a free position shot. She converted, and the Huskies had a lead - one that they would not relinquish. Senior Ashley Mitchelides added an insurance goal with just under two minutes to play and, after Holy Cross cut the lead to one with a minute left, sophomore Meghan Bohns tracked down her second ground ball of the game and found Michele.
"I knew there were only a few seconds left at that point," Michele said. "None of us were going to let [Holy Cross] get the ball back."
Michele passed to Ryan on the left sideline, and the clock shortly hit zero.
"We all really wanted to get a win in our last home game," Michele said, with a smile. "I'm not going to lie, it feels really good."
Michele and the rest of the Huskies will take the field for their last game of the season on Saturday, when they travel to South Bend to take on the No. 9 Fighting Irish.
Be the first to comment on this story