Norfolk, Va. – Hannah Dintino scored a hat trick, while
Lily Rathbun made a career high 16 saves, as the Furman women's lacrosse team held off a late rally to defeat the Old Dominion Monarchs, 9-8, on Saturday afternoon at L.R. Hill Sports Complex.
Furman improves to 2-3 on the season while Old Dominion drops to 3-6 overall.
Paige Harman gave the Paladins a 9-6 lead with her second goal of the contest with 8:56 remaining after the Monarchs had cut the score to two goals. Old Dominion answered by scoring twice within a two-minute stretch to make the score 9-8 with 42 seconds left in the game. The Monarchs had a last-second chance to tie the contest, but Rathbun came up with a save to secure Furman's first road win of the season.
The Paladins opened the game scoring three times in the first three minutes to hold a 3-0 advantage. Harman's first goal of the game extended Furman's lead to 4-1 heading to the second quarter.
Anna Roser quickly put the Paladins ahead 5-1 to begin the second period with her first goal at the 11:50 mark. Old Dominion closed out the final 6:18 of the first half outscoring Furman 3-0. The Paladins held a 5-4 lead at halftime.
Furman responded by outscoring the Monarchs 3-1 during the third quarter with goals by Dintino and
Katelyn Sousa. Dintino's third goal of the game extended the Paladins' advantage to 8-5 with 46 seconds left in the quarter.
Dintino netted her first hat trick of the season to lead Furman offensively while Harman contributed two goals. Sousa, Roser,
Reynolds Hester, and
Sophie Shaw all scored once. Harman won a career high eight draws while seven different players caused one turnover. In goal, Rathbun picked up six ground balls to go with her career best 16 saves.
Sydney Taylor paced Old Dominion with four points on three goals and one assist. Jayme Weber also dished out one assist. Goalie Jenna Peccia finished with 11 saves and four ground balls.
The Paladins held a 20-19 advantage in ground balls and 12-9 in draws. For the second consecutive game, Furman forced its most turnovers of the season after the Monarchs compiled 19.
The Paladins resume their road trip on Friday, March 17 traveling to Kennesaw, Ga. for a 4 p.m. opening draw at Kennesaw State.
