April 13, 2002
Shorewomen Upend F&M in OT
Sawma Scores Game-Winner

LANCASTER, PA -- Sophomore attacker Casey Sawma (Conway, MA/Stoneleigh-Burnham) scored the game-winning goal with seven seconds to play in the second overtime to lift visiting Washington College to a 12-11 win over 14th-ranked Franklin & Marshall in Centennial Conference play today. The Shorewomen, who recorded their first win over a ranked team this season, improved to 7-5 overall and 6-2 in conference play, while the Diplomats slipped to 5-6 and 3-3.

In the first half, Washington turned a 1-1 tie into a 6-2 halftime lead with a 5-1 run over a period of 9:45. A goal by junior attacker Paige Heller (Ellicott City, MD/Centennial) off a pass from sophomore attacker Janet Studdiford (Wyndmoor, PA/Springside School) with 8:09 to go in the period gave WC its four-goal cushion.

The Diplomats came roaring back in the early minutes of the second half, scoring four goals in the first 5:17 of the period. Lauren Paul tied the score at 6-6 with 24:43 remaining in regulation with back-to-back goals 28 seconds apart. However, Studdiford and Sawma found the back of the net with 22:56 and 17:43 to play, respecitvely, to give the Shorewomen an 8-6 lead. Paul and Allison O'Meara answered for F&M, scoring goals with 12:15 and 11:52 to play in the period, respectively, to tie the score at 8-8.

The Shorewomen controlled the first overtime period. Heller scored an unassisted goal with 1:08 to go in the period and Sawma followed with a goal off a feed from junior midfielder Kristen Bozzella (Harwood, MD/Southern) with 25 seconds left in the first overtime.

F&M rallied in the second overtime to pull ahead. Paul scored off a pass from Alexis O'Meara with 1:46 remaining. The two players reversed roles to hook up for another goal with 1:14 to go, and Alexis O'Meara gave the Diplomats the lead with 41 seconds to play on an unassisted marker.

The Shorewomen managed to pull even when freshman midfielder Lindsay Stockfisch (Wilton, CT/Wilton) dodged her defender and fired a shot the went over the shoulder of F&M goalie Madhavi Rao with 17 seconds remaining. Sawma scored the game-winner on a free position shot ten seconds later.

Studdiford finished with two goals and three assists for WC. Heller and Sawma each scored three goals, while Stockfisch scored two. Freshman attacker Lindsey Eichner contributed a goal and two assists. Sophomore goalie Mandy Higdon (Catonsville, MD/Catonsville) made 20 saves and junior defender Amy Stein (Edgeworth, PA/Sewickley Academy) accounted for four caused turnovers.

Paul led F&M with four goals and two assists and Alexis O'Meara added three goals and three assists. Allison O'Meara scored twice for the Diplomats.

The Shorewomen, who defeated F&M by an identical score two years ago, return to action with a 4:00 p.m. non-conference home game Wednesday against Villa Julie.

BOX SCORE

Washington Goals - Casey Sawma 3, Paige Heller 3, Janet Studdiford 2, Lindsay Stockfisch 2, Minta Sayres, Lindsey Eichner.
Washington Assists - Janet Studdiford 3, Lindsey Eichner 2, Kristen Bozzella.
Franklin & Marshall Goals - Lauren Paul 4, Alexis O'Meara 3, Allison O'Meara 2, Danielle Jones, Emily Knapp.
Franklin & Marshall Assists - Alexis O'Meara 3, Lauren Paul 2, Laura Fine.

Washington Saves - Mandy Higdon 20 (11 GA/60:00).
Franklin & Marshall Saves - Madhavi Rao 9 (12 GA/60:00).

Shots - F&M 39, WC 29.
Ground Balls - WC 13, F&M 10.
Draw Controls - F&M 16, WC 11.

EXPANDED WC STATS