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3/22/2025 | 1:00 PM
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Mar. 22 (Sat) / 1:00 PM
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt
NORFOLK, Va.— A sluggish first half for the Charlotte 49ers (5-5) led to a 15-9 loss to Old Dominion (7-3) on Saturday, March 15, in the Niners' first-ever American Athletic Conference game in women's lacrosse.
Charlotte trailed 8-1 at halftime before the offense ignited for six goals in the fourth quarter to trim its deficit. 13 of the Niners' 20 shots on goal came in the fourth quarter. After 14 turnovers through three quarters, the Green & White played a turnover-free fourth period while forcing four Monarch turnovers.
Brooke Alessandrini led all players with four goals and Katie Ling recorded 11 saves against 15 goals allowed.
GETTING BACK ON TRACK IN THE FOURTH QUARTER
Trailing 12-3 to start the final period, the 49ers capitalized on a yellow card given assessed to Old Dominion and scored back-to-back woman-up goals to cut the deficit to 12-5. Avery Olsen scored to open the frame and then 55 seconds later, she assisted on a goal by Alessandrini. After another Niners draw control, Olsen tried to add a third goal in the stretch but was denied by the Monarchs' goalkeeper.
With 6:59 remaining in the game, Alessandrini returned with another score, a free-position goal for the 13-6 score. After Old Dominion answered with a goal of its own, Kiera Armitage won the ensuing draw control and Alessandrini scored her fourth and final goal of the day with an assist from Isa Torres. Armitage's second draw control led to a goal by Aly Prasinos, which further trimmed the deficit to 14-8.
With 84 seconds on the clock, Torres capped the scoring for the day with an assist from Prasinos. The Monarchs earned saves in the final minute off shots from Torres and Kylie Gioia for the 15-9 final score. Old Dominion recorded seven saves in the fourth to prevent any potential comeback by the 49ers.
THE FIRST THREE
The Niners fell behind 5-0 in the first quarter after registering just two shot attempts and one on goal in the period. Charlotte was outshot 25-6 in the first half as the Monarchs took a 17-3 advantage in shots on goal. With 10:49 remaining in the second quarter, Ella Suglia got the Niners on the board to make it a 6-1 game.
Old Dominion scored the first two goals of the second half to take a commanding 10-1 lead before back-to-back goals by Alessandrini and Torres.
STAT FACTS
It was a very physical "welcome" to the AAC as 15 cards (10 yellow and five green) were handed out, including six to Charlotte. The Niners were whistled for 22 fouls, compared to the Monarchs' 10.
Ling had nine first-half saves.
Torres finished with two goals and an assist. Hailey Kulesa led the team with three ground balls and a caused turnover.
Charlotte lost the draw control battle 9-2 in the first half, but flipped the script on the Monarchs in the second half, taking 10 of 16 draw controls over the final two quarters.
UP NEXT
The 49ers will host Vanderbilt on Saturday, March 22, at Jerry Richardson Stadium for the first-ever American Athletic Conference game played at the stadium. The first draw against the Commodores is at 1 p.m.
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