Black Knights Top VCU in Non-League Finale

Sunday, March 11

Richmond, VA

1 PM

Army West Point

6-2

VCU

1-4

Army West Point

VCU

Black Knights Top VCU in Non-League Finale

March 11, 2018 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – The Army West Point women's lacrosse team earned its program-record sixth win of the season in the final non-league contest of the 2018 season with a 13-11 victory at Virginia Commonwealth on Sunday afternoon.

The two sides traded goals early being knotted at two apiece 4:16 into the contest. From there, the Black Knights went on a 5-1 run to jump out to a 7-3 lead with just over five minutes to play in the first half. Rachel Hornick opened the scoring on that run with an unassisted tally at the 23:21 mark before a Manuela Cortes free position strike put the Black Knights up by two, 4-2.

VCU cut the lead to one and looked to be poised to tie the game once again, but a trio of goals by Hornick, Jackie Brattan and Cortes in a matter of 55 seconds put the Cadets ahead comfortably, 7-3. The Rams added one more just inside of the two-minute mark to trail at halftime, 7-4.

Army started fast in the second half with two goals in the first 1:18 of the final stanza, including a man-up score by Amy Johnston 30 seconds into the period. VCU stormed back, however, netting four goals over a period of 12 minutes to cut the Cadets' lead to just one, 9-8.

That would be as close as the Rams would come to tying the game down the stretch, however, as another 4-1 run by the Black Knights put the game out of reach, despite VCU's late effort with two goals in the final minute.

Hornick once again led the Black Knights by tying a game-high five points on four goals and an assist. The Calvert, Md., paved the way for Army's four multi-goal scorers on the afternoon. Samantha Stewart added another hat trick for the Cadets, while Cortes posted four points on two goals and two assists. Brattan wrapped up that group with a pair of tallies as the rookie continues to impress in the offensive end of the field.

In net, Maddie Burns tied her season-high with nine stops on 20 shots and improved to 6-1 on the year.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Army's six wins sets a new program single season record.
Burns now holds the program's individual single season wins record with six.
Hornick netted her third hat trick of the season and 13th of her career.
She documented at least a goal and an assist for the sixth time this season.
Stewart notched her first hat trick of the season and second of her career.
The New Canaan, Conn., native has scored a goal in each of her last nine contests.
Johnston extended her scoring streak to 14 games.
Cortes posted her fifth multi-goal effort of the year and has scored in each game this season.
The Black Knights were a perfect 16-for-16 on clear attempts in the game.
Army outshot VCU overall (30-28) and in shots on goal (24-20).

WHAT'S THE WORD?

Noto Family Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Kristen Skiera – "I am super proud of this team for emerging from out-of-conference play with six wins. They have done such a great job learning from each game and experience, and we are a more connected, cohesive team because of it. I thought we had some great on-field leadership today and an unwavering competitive spirit that helped us beat a tough VCU team. We look forward to getting better with a solid week of practice before heading into Patriot League play against Loyola."
Sr. attack Rachel Hornick – "Personally, I've tried to just project my game outwards to my teammates. When I'm talking to them, getting hyped with them, that's when I play my best. Today, the bench really fueled us with their celebrations and constant chatter. When we think less and focus more on who is on the game and how we can score next, that's when we connect on so many levels and it really shows on the field."
So. goalie Maddie Burns – "Our defense was sharp and locked in today. We played strong in one-on-one situations and had great poise with our double-teams. The 8-meters went well today because we had strong crashes from both sides which made it hard for them to get a well-placed shot off."

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