Box Score Kutztown 12, Coker 7 (HTML Box Score)
HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Freshman
Courtney O'Neill (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) wasted no time to stamp her name on the Kutztown University women's lacrosse program as she picked up a single-game record-tying 10 ground balls on Wednesday. KU used a five-goal halftime lead to guide it to a 12-7 road victory against Coker College.
O'Neill is now one of four Golden Bears to notch 10 ground balls in a game in program history and the first since 2010. She also caused five turnovers, tying her for fifth in a single-game in school history. She leads the team this season with 22 ground balls and 15 caused turnovers.
The final 10 minutes of the first half made the difference in Wednesday's non-conference affair. Kutztown (2-2) scored five unanswered goals in the final 9:40 of the half to break a 3-3 tie and carry a 8-3 lead into the break.
The scoring onslaught was part of a 8-0 stretch as Kutztown led 11-3 midway through the second half. Junior
Jillian Spencer (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) capped the run with her third goal of the game. It marked her third straight hat-trick in Kutztown's four games this season. Spencer currently ranks 10th in school history with 49 career goals, five behind Carrie Healey's 54 set in 2009.
Sophomore
Brielle Dickey (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) and junior
Taylor Stone (West Babylon, NY/West Babylon) notched their second straight multi-goal games with two apiece.
Morgan Bright (Columbia, PA/Hempfield) and
Kayla Wisniewski (Conshohocken, PA/Plymouth Whitemarsh) scored their first career goals in the win.
Senior captain and goalkeeper
JoAnn McLaughlin (Cape May, NJ/Lower Cape) made 10 saves to pick up the win in net while playing all 60 minutes.
Kutztown fired 33 shots, marking its second straight game with 30 or more. Notably, 29 were on goal. KU was flawless in transition with a perfect 22-for-22 in clear attempts while winning the turnover battle, 19-13. Its 36 ground balls not only were the most of the season, it is the second-most for KU in the last four seasons.
Coker (2-4) had three multi-goal scorers in the setback. Goalkeeper Mandy Lopez made 17 saves.
The Golden Bears wrapped up their trip down south with a 2-0 record, and open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action on Saturday, March 22 at East Stroudsburg University beginning at 1 p.m. KU defeated ESU 9-6 at Keystone Field last season in the team's conference-opener.
