
FIT Women: No. 17 Panthers Oust #14 Crimson Hawks in Top 20 Showdown 16-12
Written by Lee Roggenburg on . Posted in Uncategorized.
via press release – photo via FIT web site
MELBOURNE, Fla. (Women’s Lacrosse) –Florida Tech (7-1) continues to roll through its non-conference slate as the 17th-ranked Panthers rattled off their seventh consecutive victory, defeating No. 14 Indiana (Pa.) (0-1) by the score of 16-12 Saturday evening at Panther Stadium.
In total, eight different Panthers scored goals in the contest. Allie Modica paced FIT with six points on four goals and two assists. Caroline Dunleavy recorded five points with two goals and three assists, while Aleah Fjelstad tallied a hat trick.
Mary Gormley ended with a team-best five draw controls to go along with four ground balls. The Panthers caused 22 turnovers in the game, led by Lauren Tybor‘s four in the contest. Stephanie Stuart (7-1) finished with seven saves in goal for the Crimson and Gray.
FIT recorded more shots (32-22) and ground balls (27-17) than IUP, while the Crimson Hawks collected more draw controls (16-12)
Kim Hooven put IUP on the board first with an unassisted effort just 1:36 into the contest. Fjelstad and Modica then gave Florida Tech a 2-1 advantage with 23:32 to play in the first half. Indiana (Pa.) answered with a pair of goals of its own to regain the lead, 3-2. The Panthers fired back, scoring seven of the next 10 goals, and took a 9-6 edge into the break.
It looked as though FIT would begin to run away with the game after scores by Leah Dunn and Modica extended the margin to five, 11-6, early in the second half. However, the Crimson and Hawks responded with five goals over a 3:17 span to tie the game at 11-11 with 20:47 left on the clock.
Following a FIT timeout, the Panthers regained their composure and the lead on quick scores by Dunleavy, from Dunn, and Fjelstad, from Modica. Florida Tech maintained the momentum, and much of the possession, the rest of the way and outscored the Crimson Hawks 3-1 the remainder of the game to earn the program’s second ever victory over a ranked opponent.
Florida Tech looks to continue its win streak as it takes on Concordia – St. Paul next Thursday, Mar.16 at Panther Stadium. That contest is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can access live coverage of the action at FloridaTechSports.com/live.