Feb. 20, 2008
Box Score
Washington, D.C. - Sophomore Ashby Kaestner netted a career-high six goals to lift the tenth-ranked Georgetown University women's lacrosse team to an 11-10 over George Washington at Mount Vernon Field on Wednesday afternoon in the season opener for both schools.
Hoya sophomore Molly Ford tallied career highs with three goals and three assists while freshman Lauren Thomas, who played the final 7:35 in the net, made two huge saves in the final 32 seconds to help seal the victory.
Senior tri-captain Patty Piotrowicz posted a goal and four draws for Georgetown which improves to 8-1 in season openers since the 2000 season.
"We had a bunch of kids see some extended game action for the first time in their careers," said fourth-year head coach Ricky Fried. "I think we got some first game jitters out of our system. Ashby (Kaestner) was great, producing when we need it most and Lauren (Thomas) did a terrific job stepping up when we asked her to."
Georgetown outshot GW 23-10 in the first half and took a 6-5 lead at the break. Ford and Kaestner had two goals apiece before halftime.
GU fell behind 3-1 at the 26:29 mark when Lindsay Melvin scored an unassisted marker. The Colonials scored three goals on their first five shot attempts.
GW then went 11 minutes without a goal as the Hoyas controlled the pace.
Kaestner's initial shot was saved by Colonial keeper Caitlin Garman but she corralled her own rebound and netted her first goal of the game as GU clawed to within 3-2 at 22:44.
Senior tri-captain Zan Morley scored with Ford picking up an assist to tie the game at 3-3 with 21:22 to go.
Ford tallied again at 19:55 on a pretty spin move for Georgetown's first lead, 4-3.
After GW tied the game at 4-4, Ford tallied again with Kaestner earning an assist for a 5-4 GU advantage with 8:56 left in the half.
Kaestner notched a free position goal at 5:34 for a 6-4 Hoya lead.
George Washington's Katherine Sampson scored after taking a pass from Kristin Karcsh with 10.4 seconds to go in the half.
The Colonials had two long scoreless droughts in the second half but the Hoyas could never get ahead by more then two goals.
Ford and Kaestner combined forces again at 22:31 with Ford getting her third goal of the game as the Blue adnd Gray led 8-6
Kaestner scored her fourth goal of the game at 14:10 rifling a left-handed shot to give the Hoyas some breathing room, 9-7.
Laura Wunk found the twine at 12:18 as GW pulled to within 9-8.
Four minutes later, Katherine Sampson tied the game at 9-9 with 8:09 left.
The game remained scoreless for the next four minutes before Kaestner scored on a free position shot at the 4:02 to go.
Kaestner scored her sixth goal, in unassisted fashion, at 3:17 after digging out a loose ball inside the 8 meter for an 11-9 Hoya edge.
Thomas, who entered the crease for the Hoyas with the game tied at 9-9 saw action right away.
Colonial Mia Breheny scored at 2:45 after she grabbed a rebound off her own shot.
Thomas then was forced to make two saves in the final 32 seconds to help seal the win.
Georgetown has its home opener on Saturday, February 23 when the Hoyas host Loyola in BIG EAST Conference action on the Multi-Sport Field. The first draw is set for 3 p.m. The women's game will follow a men's game between Georgetown and Maryland that faces off at noon.
