Jablonsky eclipses Women's Lacrosse Career Save record; Dallas falls to Olivet
IRVING, Texas – The University of Dallas women's lacrosse team (2-4) were outdone by Olivet College (4-1) in the second half, and dropped an 8-6 decision on Thursday afternoon. Dallas ends a streak of two victories in a row, as the Comets broke away from a 4-4 tie at halftime to snatch the triumph.
A historical record was clinched for the Lady Crusaders, as senior Christine Jablonsky (Colorado Springs, Colo.) shattered the old career mark of 358. The goalkeeper in three campaigns set the new record on Thursday at 360, while stopping 12 attempts in the setback.
Jablonsky increased her season total to 65 and has reflected a 53.7 save percentage on the year.
Olivet jumped ahead 2-0 in the early moments of the match, holding the advantage until the Navy and White countered with its first netter just under nine minutes into the affair. About two minutes later, UD created a new ballgame with senior Anne Belton posting her lone goal of the game.
There would be three times in this game, and the home team would take the advantage once late in the opening frame. After the Comets got on top from their leading scorer, Geri Merrell, the Lady Crusaders fired back-to-back shots that landed in the back of the cage.
Freshman Erin Chadwick (Tampa Bay, Fla.) hit the go ahead goal at the time for her second of the contest, as she also hit the squad's first of the game.
A goal by the opposition's Brittany Hayes with 3:13 until intermission evened the scoreboard a final time, as OC never trailed in the second stanza.
Merrell cracked the first goal with 21:15 in regulation, and a second goal in nearly two minutes by the Comets was enough to swing the momentum in favor of the visitors.
Junior Hayley Rodgers (Houston, Texas) provided both of UD's goals in the second half, and lifted the attacker to her third-straight hat trick. She's now tied with Chadwick with the team-lead with 11.
Despite a 28-23 shot advantage, Olivet's keeper, Xavier Vance was tough to get around for the Navy and White offense. She nabbed 18 saves against 24 shots in the win.
Rodgers led the Lady Crusaders with nine shots, eight on goal, while Chadwick placed six of her seven efforts on the target. Senior Meghan Falconer rounded out the top trio with five and collected a team-high four groundballs. UD held the edge in that category, 23-17.
OC was paced offensively by three multi-scoring players, with Merrell gathering a game-high, four. Taylor Guarnaccia and Hayes completed the unit with two apiece.
UP NEXT
Dallas concludes the home portion of its campaign on Sunday, March 22 versus University of North Texas. It will be Senior Day for five of the Lady Crusaders: Mary Hilker (Haslett, Mich.), Anita Villalpando (Baytown, Texas), Belton, Falconer, and Jablonsky.