Aug. 28, 2005
Final Stats
Lisa Witkowski took control of a free ball at the top of the circle, turned, and fired a shot into the back right of the cage with 9:50 remaining in the first half accounting for the only score of the afternoon as Appalachian State held off Siena 1-0 in Loudonville. Siena had an advantage in every statistical category, and possessed the ball for much of the game, but still found itself on the short end of the scoreboard when its season-opener was completed.
Siena (0-1) out-shot the Mountaineers 12-6 and held a 7-3 advantage in penalty corners. Sophomore Hanna Lestrange had half of the Saints' shots (and as many as the entire ASU team), including an attempt from point blank range 15 minutes into the initial stanza that ricocheted off the left knee pad of goalie Kate Ryno. Ryno had six saves en route to the shutout victory. The win was the first of the season for Appalachian State (1-1), which lost at Colgate on Saturday.
The Saints dictated tempo for much of the first half, moving the ball into the Mountaineers circle on several occasions. One of the best scoring opportunities of the afternoon followed successive penalty corners, as the Saints moved the ball to the left of the cage, where senior Lori Barletta was turned away by Ryno. Emily Winslow had her rebound attempt sail wide, and the game remained scoreless.
Witkowski's goal came as ASU attempted to enter the ball into the circle. The ball bounced off two Siena defenders, and Witzowski tracked it down and alertly spun to connect on the winning tally. Siena goalie Carlee Evans played well in her collegiate debut, stopping two of the three shots she faced.
Siena's defense was also sharp out of the gate, keeping the Mountaineers out of the circle for the majority of the game, and thwarting several odd-man rushes.
Both teams had trouble with their footing throughout the game, as morning rains created a slick surface on Siena's grass field. The weather cooperated once live action began, and the game was contested under mostly cloudy skies.
The Saints hit the road for a pair of non-conference games in New England this week. Siena plays at Holy Cross Tuesday, and at Rhode Island Saturday. The Saints host Albany at Skidmore College on Wednesday September 7. Appalachian State returns home to host Indiana on September 2.
