Temple continued its hot start to the 2021 season as the Owls scored an 11-10 double-overtime win against Saint Joseph's to improve to 4-1 on the year, while Florida wrapped up the early nonconference portion of its schedule with a road setback at Jacksonville.
TEMPLE 11, SAINT JOSEPH'S 10
PHILADELPHIA- The Temple lacrosse team defeated Saint Joseph's 11-10 in a double-overtime thriller. The win sends the Owls into conference play with a 4-1 record.
"Everyone stepped up all over the field when we needed it," said Temple head coach Bonnie Rosen. "It's been something we've been focused on, just to be ready to play the next play and be as sharp as you can. I think the game was won by Kara Nakrasius because she stayed playing the game and finished her eight-meter shot.."
Nakrasius scored the golden goal off a free position shot to send the Owls home with their first overtime win since 2018.
Jackie Cerchio had one of the best performances of her Temple career. She tied her career-high with three goals and added an assist as well. Her four points tie for the second-highest total of her career.
Belle Mastropietro and Nakrasius scored twice. Mackenzie Roth, Bridget Whitaker, Jen Rodzewich, and Abaigail Ryan all notched one goal, with Roth also adding two assists.
Meghan Hoffman led all players with four assists. The fifth-year attacker leads the team with 16 on the season.
Shana Hecht put together another fantastic performance in goal. Her 10 saves ties the career-high she set last game.
JACKSONVILLE 12, FLORIDA 11
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The fifth-ranked Florida lacrosse team fell to the Jacksonville Dolphins 12-11 on Saturday afternoon at DB Milne Field.
The Gators drop to 3-2 on the year, while Jacksonville moves to 3-0 in 2021.
Paisley Eagan and Shannon Kavanagh led the Gators on the offensive front, recording three goals apiece on the afternoon. The game was Eagan's second hat trick of the year, while Kavanagh's tallied her fourth of the season.
Brianna Harris added two goals, while Kassidy Bresnahan, Ashley Gonzalez and Grace Haus each found the back of the net once for Florida.
Eagan led the way in the draw circle with three draw controls, followed by two from Harris.
Emma Wightman notched a team-best two caused turnovers on the day, while Haus, Kavanagh and Gonzalez each registered one in the game.
Wightman also posted a career-high six groundballs on the afternoon, followed by three from Haus. Four Gators each registered two apiece.
Sarah Reznick finished the day in the cage with eight saves, playing all 60:00 minutes between the pipes.
The Gators kick off American Athletic Conference play with a two-game series against Temple on March 19/21 in Philadelphia, Pa. Opening draw for Friday's matchup is set for 3 p.m., while Sunday's game will begin at 12 p.m.