GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University women’s lacrosse team defeated Messiah College, 10-9 on Thursday.

 

Rowan finishes the season with a 7-9 record, while Messiah is 7-7. It was the final game for Rowan head coach Mary Marino, who is retiring after 20 seasons. Her career record stands at 169-115.

 

The Profs were led by midfielder Kelly Angstadt (so. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) with three goals. Defender Shana Smeriglio (sr. Ocean, NJ/Ocean Twp.) and attack Katie Kline (sr. Collingswood, NJ/Collingswood) each scored twice. Attacks Carly Welsh (so. Allenwood, NJ/Wall), Lauren Crennan (so. Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts) and Caitlin Meseroll (jr. Oakhurst, NJ/Ocean Twp.) added one goal apiece. Midfielder Alayna Morris (fr. Columbus, NJ/Northern Burlington Reg.) and Meseroll both assisted on two goals, while Welsh and Kline had one assist apiece.

 

For the Falcons, attack Jessica VanHook (jr. Pearl River, NY/Pearl River) recorded a game-high four goals. Midfielder Jackie Dando (so. West Chester, PA/West Chester Henderson) found the net twice and attack Nikki Lawrence (fr. Salisbury, MD/Salisbury Christian) scored once. Midfielder Charley Wilkinson (so. Wildwood, MO/Lafayette) totaled one goal and three assists, while midfielder Megan Duke (sr. Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) had one goal and two assists.

 

Rowan outshot Messiah, 29-26. Goalie Katherine Rowland (sr. Freehold, NJ/St. John Vianney) played the first half for the Profs and made five saves. Goalie Alicia Mannino (so. Richboro, PA/Conwell-Egan Catholic) stopped six shots in the second period. Falcons’ goalie Jen Venter (so. Crownsville, MD/Annapolis Christian) turned away 10 shots.

 

Welsh put Rowan ahead 1-0 with a goal at 27:28 in the first half. Messiah answered with goals from Duke (26:04) and Lawrence (24:14) to lead 2-1. The Profs scored five straight for a 6-2 advantage with 16:20 left in the period. Angstadt and Smeriglio each scored twice, while Kline had one goal. VanHook had her first goal at 12:43, but Crennan answered with one at 2:43. VanHook’s second goal with 1:09 remaining made the score 7-4 at intermission.

 

In the second half, Angstadt (27:12), Kline (26:38) and Meseroll (19:59) gave the Profs a 10-4 lead. Messiah scored the final five goals, but Rowan held on for the win. VanHook and Dando both found the net twice and Wilkinson scored once.