Sept. 5, 2008

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. - In the second game of the day played in the Villanova Classic on Friday afternoon, La Salle (3-0) scored a pair of goals in the second half to come away with a 2-1 victory over Loyola (Md.) (0-3). The Explorers overcame a 1-0 deficit at the intermission for their third straight win.

Melanie Gamble registered what proved to be the game-winning goal on a penalty kick with 9:28 remaining in regulation. The Greyhounds were whistled for a foul inside the box and Gamble put La Salle in the lead for the first time in the game.

Just over two minutes prior to that goal, Dana O'Brien had gotten the Explorers on the scoreboard at the 78:04 mark to tie the game at 1-1. O'Brien scored on a header after a pass sent her way from Alex Conley.

Loyola scored the game's first goal at 35:57 when Kristina Balfoort blasted a shot into the back of the net from the middle of the box. Lina Staropoli assisted on the tally, which came during the midst of a long series of attack opportunities in La Salle territory for the Greyhounds. The first half ended with Loyola owning an 11-3 shot advantage and the slim one-goal lead.

Both teams struggled to keep their shots on the mark during the game and the Greyhounds wound up with a 15-12 edge in attempts for the game. Both defenses were up to the task during the game as well. In the 35th minute, Loyola's Rachel Shuck nearly scored the first goal of the afternoon but Explorer defender Carissa Philips was standing in front of the goalmouth and made a team save. La Salle goalkeeper Melissa Sanger recorded five saves in the contest.

The tables were turned midway through the second half when Traci DePasquale took a shot that two defenders from the Greyhounds stepped in front of before it could reach the goal. Brittany Henderson had one save for Loyola.

On Sunday afternoon the Greyhounds will play San Diego State with a Noon kickoff and La Salle takes on Villanova at 3 p.m. The games have been moved to Olsen Field on the campus of Eastern University due to the heavy rain that is expected to move through the area on Saturday. Directions to Olsen Field can be found online at www.villanova.com or www.goeasterneagles.com.