It was Stony Brook’s third impromptu game to open the season — a quirk of this 2021 campaign, one that promises to be unlike any other due to ongoing complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But even though Stony Brook’s first three games were against opponents the No. 5 team in the nation wasn’t even supposed to play this spring, the Seawolves have responded with tenacity.
After a stumble against No. 1 North Carolina in a game that Stony Brook had just about two days to prepare for, Stony Brook thumped Boston University on Sunday and handed No. 14 USC a big loss on Tuesday afternoon at LaValle Stadium.
Taryn Ohlmiller scored six goals, Ally Kennedy scored three goals and Kaeli Huff and Jaden Hampel each scored twice as the Seawolves improved to 2-1 with a 15-3 victory.
USC (1-1) came out in a man-to-man defense, an unexpected strategy. Stony Brook coach Joe Spallina said he was expecting a zone, but his team responded to build a 10-2 advantage by halftime.
“I think we moved the ball a lot quicker today,” Ohlmiller said in a postgame Zoom call.
Stony Brook won 11 of 20 draws but 10 of 13 in the first half. Charlotte Verhulst matched up against Maddie McDaniel, a draw ace who transferred in from James Madison. McDaniel snatched 13 draw controls in her USC debut against San Diego State, but Verhulst gave her fits, prompting USC to make a change in the circle in the first half.
“Charlotte’s really starting to not just take the draw, but think the draw,” Spallina said. “You can’t just take it. You have to think it.”
Kennedy was also a force off the circle, winning eight draws. “You’ve got 30 on the circle, and she just does 30 things,” Spallina said of Kennedy, who wears No. 30.
USC could never really get its offense going. According to the broadcast on Lax Sports Network, the Women of Troy arrived for the game at 5 p.m. Eastern Monday, less than 24 hours before first draw.
USC has a chance to right the ship on Friday against No. 16 Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Stony Brook heads to the Carrier Dome to play No. 2 Syracuse on Saturday.
North Scores 8 Goals in Blowout Win
Charlotte North notched eight goals with one assist as No. 16 Boston College defeated Albany 22-12 in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Cara Urbank scored four goals. Rachel Hall made five saves and unleashed the beauty of an outlet pass 50 yards down the field to North.
Rachel Hall looking like @DougFlutie out here.
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) February 23, 2021
She connects with Charlotte North on a 50-yard pass for @BCwlax pic.twitter.com/0zvVjLb11M
Villanova Wins in OT
Libby McKenna scored her sixth goal of the game to give Villanova a 19-18 win over Wagner in overtime. Villanova led 18-16 before Kasey Dorner scored for Wagner with 22 seconds remaining. Wagner won the enusing draw, and Dorney assisted Megan Greco for the tying goal just 10 seconds later, sending the game to the extra period.
UNBELIEVABLE! Dorney and Greco each find the back of the net in the final 22 seconds and the Seahawks are heading to overtime in Villanova!!
— Wagner W Lacrosse (@WagnerWLax) February 23, 2021
NIKE/US Lacrosse Top 20
No. 16 Boston College 22, Albany 12
No. 2 Syracuse at Georgetown, PPD
OTHER SCORES
Robert Morris 18, Fresno State 13
Villanova 19, Wagner 18 (OT)
UMass Lowell at Boston U., PPD