Women's Lacrosse Falls in Regular-Season Finale to America East-Rival

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

Albany, N.Y. – Melissa Cook had three goals and one assist in leading Stony Brook to a 9-7 America East Conference victory over UAlbany in the regular-season finale for both teams on Saturday, April 19 at John Fallon Field.

Stony Brook (8-6, AE 2-4) erased a two-goal deficit by scoring five consecutive times over the final 12 minutes of the opening half. Cook ignited that outburst by driving around defender from the right side, before Jenna Celano tied the contest at three apiece with a high blast from the middle of the zone. Amy Hallion’s free-position shot over the goalkeeper’s head put her team in front. After Hallion added another goal, Kaitlin Leggio completed the decisive run by cutting to the top of the crease to take Diana Caroleo’s pass from behind with 6.9 seconds left in the period.

The Seawolves, who avenged a home loss to UAlbany in last year’s conference tournament semifinals, upped their advantage to 9-4 with 12:09 to play. Cook was responsible for all of the scoring in run of three unanswered. She converted a drive from the right side and then fed teammate Samantha Djaha in transition. The fastbreak started after Mickey Cahill saved a free-position attempt. The freshman attack then rolled inside from the left to net her 34th of the season.

UAlbany (8-8, AE 2-4) made a comeback attempt against the visitors by scoring three straight times. Kayla Best went low inside the left post on a free-position opportunity for her fourth of the game. Brittany Scott and Rory Redmond added unassisted goals that were created out of free-position situations. The Great Danes were looking to get closer in the final three minutes when Stony Brook’s Leggio, last year’s conference player of the year, forced a turnover. The Seawolves were able to keep possession in the offensive end and work the clock from that point.

The Great Danes, who suffered their third straight loss, leaped to 3-1 lead over the opening 15 minutes. Best, who extended her scoring streak 29 consecutive games, found the cage twice, including a shot that went low into the left side of the net following a restart. The sophomore midfielder has 44 goals this spring.

Hallion, a senior midfielder from South Australia, had a pair of goals for the Seawolves, who have won four of seven meetings in this series. Goalkeeper Mickey Cahill made 11 saves. UAlbany's senior class of Stacey Brown, Teresa Strano and Scott were honored in a pre-game ceremony.

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Stony Brook 9, UAlbany 7

Stony Brook – Scoring: Melissa Cook 3-1, Amy Hallion 2-0, Diana Caroleo 1-1, Kaitlin Leggio 1-1, Jenna Celano 1-0, Samantha Djaha 1-0; Goalkeeper(s): Mickey Cahill (60:00, 11 saves, 7 GA).

UAlbany – Scoring: Kayla Best 4-0, Brittany Scott 1-0, Rory Redmond 1-0, Jodi Battaglia 1-0, Christine Grueniger 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Katie Neer (60:00, 2 saves, 9 GA).