GREENSBORO, N.C. – Ashleigh Caruso’s goal 7:49 left in the game broke a 12-12 tie and lifted visiting Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) past Guilford College, 14-12, in the Tigers’ lacrosse opener Monday.
All-American midfielder Shelby Valkiener assisted on Caruso’s go-ahead score and added a key insurance tally just over two minutes later to seal RIT’s triumph.
The game’s final two scores came after Guilford (1-1) rallied from five down to tie the game at 12-12. Quakers’ junior Lily Colley scored two of her game- and career-high six goals in the 5-0 spurt, which ended with Eleanora Keene’s tally with 10:23 left in regulation.
RIT freshman Sage Sarkis enjoyed a brilliant college debut, scoring a game-high six goals. She had five first-half markers as the Tigers gradually built a 9-6 halftime lead. Valkiener, who scored 78 goals in 2012, overcame a scoreless first half and tallied twice during RIT’s 3-1 spurt that started the second period. Sarkis’ sixth score secured a 12-7 edge with 23:38 left.
Marlee Vlassis added four assists for RIT, which held a 41-28 edge in shots. Caruso finished with two goals. Valkiener collected eight draw controls and three ground balls, both game highs. Goalie Katelyn Crane also had three ground balls and stopped eight Guilford shots, including four on free-position shots.
Guilford’s E’leyna Garcia chipped in with four points on three goals and an assist. She also picked up two ground balls and three draws. Keene tallied twice and added an assist, five draw controls and two ground balls. Goalie Liza Mettler helped keep Guilford in the game with 14 saves and three caused turnovers. She stopped six RIT free-position shots.
Guilford looks to bounce back Thursday (2/28) at crosstown-rival Greensboro College at 4:00 p.m.
Lacrosse Game Summary (Final)
2013 Guilford College Lacrosse
RIT vs Guilford (Feb 25, 2013 at Greensboro, NC)
RIT (1-0) vs. Guilford (1-1)
Date: Feb 25, 2013 Location: Greensboro, NC
Stadium: Armfield Ath. Center
Attendance:60 Start time:7:00 pm End time:8:59 pm Total time:1:59
SCORE BY PERIOD 1 2 Tot ---------------------------------- RIT................. 9 5 - 14 Guilford............ 6 6 - 12
RIT SCORING: GOALS: Sage Sarkis 6; Shelby Vakiener 3; Ashleigh Caruso 2; Holly Leone 1; Loren Azlein 1; Carly Augustyn 1.
ASSISTS: Marlee Vlassis 4; Shelby Vakiener 1.
Guilford SCORING: GOALS: Lily Colley 6; E’leyna Garcia 3; Eleanora Keene 2; Becca Colley 1.
ASSISTS: E’leyna Garcia 1; Eleanora Keene 1.
RIT GROUND BALLS: Katelyn Crane 3; Shelby Vakiener 3; Carly Augustyn 2; Loren Azlein 2; Ashleigh Caruso 2; Eva D’Ignazio 2; Megan Henriksen 2; Holly Leone 2; Sage Sarkis 2; Marlee Vlassis 2; Kirsten Francis 1; Cori VanKerkhove 1.
Guilford GROUND BALLS: Lizz Carella 3; Lily Colley 3; Celine De Perlinghi 3; Summer Fowler 3; Becca Colley 2; E’leyna Garcia 2; Eleanora Keene 2; Liza Mettler 2; Millie Carter 1.
RIT TURNOVERS CAUSED: Megan Henriksen 2; Corinna Mandell 2; Sage Sarkis 2; Kirsten Francis 1; Shelby Vakiener 1; Marlee Vlassis 1. Guilford TURNOVERS CAUSED: Liza Mettler 3; Celine De Perlinghi 2; Eleanora Keene 2; Millie Carter 1; Becca Colley 1; Summer Fowler 1; E’leyna Garcia 1.
SHOTS – RIT 41; Guilford 28.
SHOTS ON GOAL – RIT 28; Guilford 20.
TURNOVERS – RIT 19; Guilford 17.
CLEARS – RIT 14-22; Guilford 13-20.
GOALIES – RIT: Katelyn Crane 1-0 (60:00 minutes, 20 shots-8 saves, 12 GA); GC: Liza Mettler 1-1 (60:00, 28-14, 14).
Start time: 7:00 pm Finish time: 8:59 pm Length of game: 1:59
Officials: Kelly Garris; Katie Welsh; Michael Heichert. Scorer:
Guilford SID.
A-60 T-1:59
Nonconference game