Feb. 21, 2009

WVU Box Score  Butler Box Score  Ohio Box Score

ATHENS, Ohio. - The 2009 women's lacrosse season is officially underway as the Lady Panthers traveled to Ohio University this past weekend where they fell in three close games to West Virginia (7-3), Butler (7-6 - OT) and Ohio (9-8 - OT).

After finishing the 2008 season at 7-4-1, there was much optimism surrounding the second year program as they opened at the Ohio University Play Day. In their first game of the 2009 campaign, Davenport's offense never found their groove but a solid defense led by goalie Shaye Bradley (8 saves) kept the Panthers in the game. Unfortunatley, goals by Lydia Bedford, Daniella Bugli and Helena Stieg were not enough to overcome the Mountaineers.

In the second game of the day against Butler University, DU raced out to a 4-0 halftime lead and looked poised to post their first win of the season. Butler had other ideas though as they used a 6-2 second half run to send the game into overtime where they scored quickly to post the 7-6 comeback victory. DU received their scoring from Kendra Stieg (2 goals on 4 shots), Bedford, Bugli, Alex Kuzma and Valerie Carr.

In the final game of the day, Davenport took on the host Ohio University Bobcats. Again, DU got out to a halftime lead this time by the margin in 5-4, but then saw their opponent tie the game late in the game to send it into overtime. The defense, as it had been strong all day, let one play get behind them and the Panthers lost their second consecutive overtime heartbreaker.  Lydia Bedford posted three goals in the loss and Valerie Carr and Helena Stieg each chipped in with two. Freshman Brittanie Bond posted her first goal in her DU career as well.

The three losses sends DU to Tennessee first (Vanderbilt) before returning to Ohio where they will take on Mt. St. Joseph's and Cincinnati.