UNION, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham women's lacrosse team put together a 4-0 run in the second half, but ultimately it was not enough as the Devils fell to the Kean University Cougars 7-5 on Wednesday afternoon.
The Devils (3-5) were led by senior Brianna Capobianco and freshman Caitlyn Damon, who each netted a pair of second half goals in the contest. Meanwhile, the reigning MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Week and ECAC South Rookie of the Week, Megan Nemeth, tallied seven saves while protecting the net.
FDU-Florham also received a strong defensive outing from junior Brittni Calleo, who recorded three caused turnovers.
Kean (7-1) wasted no time and on its very first possession, a goal was scored by Jordan Blanda on a free position shot.
FDU-Florham worked tirelessly in the first half to try and knot the score up but the Cougars goalkeeper, Nikki Apostolopoulos, sent away eight shots. Apostolopoulos finished the game with 17 saves.
With the Devils offense kept in check, Kean went back to work and netted five more goals to conclude a 6-0 run that was capped off by an Emily Stasuk goal.
As the first half was winding down, the Devils took advantage of a Cougars' turnover and ventured down the field. Junior Brienna Reasoner had the ball in her stick and she was eventually awarded a free position shot. Once the whistle blew, she charged at the net and rifled the shot past the Cougars' goalkeeper for the score.
Once again the Cougars got off to a quick start to the half and within the first four minutes of the second stanza, Brittany Ballack scored to extend the Kean lead to six.
Apostolopoulos continued to send away several more shots on goal by the Devils but FDU-Florham broke through in the 16th minute when Capobianco scored off of an assist by Joelle Manganella.
Less than two minutes later, Capobianco scored again to cut the deficit to four.
With five minutes remaining in the game, the Devils got the ball of off a Cougars' turnover and it led to a Capobianco shot on goal, but it was denied. The Devils retained possession and Damon was fouled on the play and awarded a free position shot. She stared down the Cougars' net and went on to capitalize on the opportunity with a score.
It was a three-goal game with just over two minutes left to play and junior Brittni Calleo caused a Cougars' turnover and the ball eventually found its way into Makenzie Staffordsmith's stick. As she surveyed the field she found Damon near the net and the freshman attack netted her second goal of the game.
In the remaining two minutes of the game the Devils were unable to get a shot on goal and the Cougars grabbed the 7-5 victory.
The Devils will return to action on Saturday, April 2 to host Montclair State University at 1 p.m. at Robert T. Shields Field.
