BOX SCORE


Philadelphia, Pa. - The Holy Family University women's lacrosse team celebrated Senior Day with a victory over cross-town rival Philadelphia University by the score of 16-11 in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) contest Wednesday afternoon at Tiger Field.
 
With the win, Holy Family extended its program-best winning streak to nine games and improves to 12-4 overall.  The Tigers close out conference play with their best-ever mark at 11-1 and will be the top-seed in the upcoming CACC Championship.  Philadelphia is now 7-9 overall and 6-5 in conference action.  The Rams are currently in a three-way tie with Dominican College and Wilmington University for the final two post-season spots. 
 
Prior to today's game, the Holy Family athletics department along with the women's lacrosse team, honored six seniors competing in their final home regular season contest at Holy Family.  Those seniors include, Lauren Greco (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock South), Gina Mansi (Washington Twp., N.J./Washington Twp.), Paigemarie Pellicciotti (Philadelphia, Pa./John W. Hallahan), Katherine Podlinski (Cherry Hill, N.J./Camden Catholic), Samantha Cornely (Washington Twp., N.J./Camden Catholic) and Melissa Jenkins (Glenolden, Pa./Interboro).
 
Junior Stephanie McNesby (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) tallied a game-high seven points after scoring three goals and assisting on four others to lead the Holy Family offense.  She also controlled seven draws and caused two turnovers.  Sophomore Marissa Lawson (York, Pa./Central York) led the team with a game-high four goals to go along with five draw controls.
 
Mansi finished with three goals, while freshman Brianna Lancetta (Marlton, N.J./Bishop Eustace) added three as well for the Tigers.  Junior Maria Mattioli (Huntingdon Valley, Pa./Nazareth) scored a pair of goals and led the team with four ground balls.  She also caused a turnover. 
 
For Philadelphia, senior Caribeth Shappell and sophomore Emily Ray each tallied three goals apiece to lead the Rams.  Ray also caused two turnovers. Senior Taylor Peltzer contributed a pair of goals. 
 
Philadelphia scored the game's first goal after Shappell tallied an unassisted goal at the two-plus minutes into the game to give the Rams an early 1-0 lead.  However, Holy Family answered right back and scored three straight goals, including back-to-back scores by Lancetta to make the score 3-1.  Cornely capped the run with a goal at the 18:20 mark.
 
As the half progressed, Philadelphia regained the lead after freshman Elizabeth Marrousu scored off a pass from senior Kalin Hodel.  Marrousu's goal broke a 5-5 tie to give the Rams a 6-5 lead with 10:44 remaining in the half.
 
Holy Family would go on to tie the game at 6-6 after a free-position goal by Mattioli at the 6:54 mark.  Moments later, Lawson gave the Tigers a 7-6 lead after converting a free-position shot.  Holy Family would go on to add two more goals before the half ended to enter halftime with a 9-6 lead.
 
Holy Family would lead the rest of the way despite Philadelphia coming within three goals of the Tigers lead late in the half.  A goal by senior Nicole Lijana made the score 13-10 with less than ten minutes to play in regulation.
 
The Tigers outscored the Rams 3-1 the final 9:57 of play as the defense didn't allow another goal until the 2:26 mark of the second half.  Neither team would score from that point as Holy Family held on to the 16-11 victory.
 
Jenkins made 14 saves in net for the Tigers, while junior Ellen Wright finished with 12 stops for the Rams.
 
Holy Family held a slight edge in draw controls (15-14) and outshot Philadelphia by a 33-28 margin.  The Rams held a slight advantage on ground balls (16-15) and turnovers (14-16). 
 
Holy Family is back in action on Saturday, May 5 as the Tigers begin their quest for a conference championship.  Holy Family, the top-seed in this year's CACC Championship, will face an opponent still to be determined.  Georgian Court University, the second seed in this year's championship, will serve as this year's host of the CACC semifinals and final.