Rutgers University
Villanova
WLAX Rolls in Season Opener at Villanova
Feb 12 | Women's Lacrosse
VILLANOVA, Pa. - There was no denying Kristina Dunphey (Hillsborough, N.J.) Friday at Villanova. The junior scored a game-high five goals and led all players with three ground balls to lead Rutgers women's lacrosse to a 14-8 win. Three other players - Halley Barnes (Garnet Valley, Pa.), Amanda Turturro (Farmingdale, N.Y.), and Kim Kolodny (Farmingdale, N.Y.) - scored two goals apiece, as newcomer Bianca Dente (Yorktown Heights, N.J.) made seven saves in her Rutgers debut.
In total seven Scarlet Knights tallied a point Friday to begin the season in winning fashion.
"I'm happy with the intensity we displayed for our first outing," said head coach Laura Brand-Sias. "It helps us set the tone for how we want the season to play out. With seven people scoring and putting up points, we got a jump on our goal of establishing a multi-threat offense. On both ends of the field we followed our game plan and executed well."
Dunphey, in a career outing, became the third player in the last two seasons to post a five-goal game. In the process, Rutgers won its fourth consecutive season opener and improved to 23-1 all-time against their former conference rivals.
Rutgers (1-0) had three different runs throughout the contest of at least three goals, benefitting most from the free position. Rutgers went 4-for-5 on free position attempts, with goals from Kolodny, Barnes, Dunphey, and sophomore Kerri Puckhaber (Wantagh, N.J.). Puckhaver also added a first-half assist.
On the other end, Dente denied all three Wildcat (0-1) free position shots, which kept Rutgers in command throughout. Off Dente's stops, the Scarlet Knights transitioned well offensively by going a perfect 14-for-14 on clear attempts.
Villanova's Jackie Froccaro, the BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, paced the Wildcats with four goals on seven shots. Goalkeeper Jaclyn Fraum led `Nova with five saves.
RU ended the first half by scoring six of the last seven goals, fitting in a 4-0 run to build a 7-3 lead entering the break. Kolodny and Dunphey each netted two goals in the period. In cage, Dente had a strong half with three saves.
Rutgers makes the short trip to West Long Branch, N.J. to face Monmouth on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 3 p.m.
Game Notes
- Dunphey's five goals and three ground balls were both career-highs and led all players.
- Along with two goals, Turturro led RU on the draw with four wins.
- Chrissy Schreiber (East Meadow, N.Y.) saw her first action since May 1, 2014 after missing all of last season due to injury.
- Making the first starts in their RU careers were Dakota Mason (Manorville, N.Y.), Joanna Reilly (Spring Lake, N.J.) and Dente.
- Mason scooped two ground balls in her Rutgers debut.
- Dente made seven saves and stopped three free position shots from Villanova.
- Four Scarlet Knights caused turnovers Friday - Kolodny, Mason, Schreiber, and sophomore Amanda Casten (Brick, N.J.).
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's lacrosse, follow the program Facebook, and on Twitter and Instagram @RULaxBrand. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
