Box Score
TROY, NY (April 12, 2008) -- Senior attack Christine Castellan (Media, PA/Penncrest High) scored with just 15 seconds left as Vassar's women's lacrosse team overcame a six-goal deficit to defeat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 11-10, in Liberty League action at Renwyck Field. The Brewers are now 7-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play while the Red Hawks drop to 6-4 and 1-3 in the league.
Castellan's goal couldn't have been more fitting. Not only did it secure an important Liberty League victory for the Brewers, but it earned her career goal 163, making her the all-time career goals leader in Vassar history. Castellan surpasses the 162 goals amassed by Ali Fantl (2004-07).
Holding a 5-3 lead at the end of the first half, Rensselaer continued to increase its lead in the second frame. Led by a pair of goals from sophomore Sam Fennessey (Gansevoort, NY/Saratoga Springs), the Red Hawks led 9-3 with 24:47 remaining in the contest.
Vassar began its comeback less than 15 seconds later as freshman Allie Morgan (Nashua, NH/Nashua South) scored the first of her three goals at 24:32 to narrow the RPI lead (9-4). Castellan, who led all scorers with four goals, tallied at 11:48 to make it a 9-7 advantage for the homestanding Red Hawks, but a quick goal by junior Emily Donowick (West Seneca, NY/Nichols School) made it a three-goal advantage (10-7) once again.
The Brewers refused to back down with eight minutes remaining, scoring back-to-back goals off the stick of Castellan and junior Christine Eaccarino (Old Saybrook, CT/Old Saybrook) to make it 10-9. Morgan tallied her third goal of the game at 3:02 to pull things even at 10-all, setting up the drama in the final seconds.
After making a save off a free position attempt by Fennessey, Brewers goaltender Ariel Nelson (Greenlawn, NY/Harborfields) quickly moved the ball up the field. Castellan gained possession and ducked around an RPI defender to seal the Vassar victory with a high shot over the shoulder of the Red Hawks goalie.
In addition to Castellan and Morgan, Vassar saw sophomore Jennie McAllister (Bayshore, NY/Bayshore) tally two goals. Eaccarino finished with a goal and an assist while freshman Sarah Warner (Ipswich, MA/Waring School) added a goal. Nelson improved to 7-2 in the Brewers' goal, stopping 19 shots, including 11 in the first half for the win.
For Rensselaer, Donowick and freshman Stephanie Caouette (Wynantskill, NY/Columbia) each finished with two goals and an assist. Fennessey added two goals and four other players also tallied. Sophomore goalie Ariana Hood (Severn, MD/Old Mill) made 11 saves in the loss.
