CUA bounces back in a big way with 5-1 win over Cougars

DALLAS, Pa. – The Cardinals responded to their first loss of the season in a big way on Sunday as CUA rolled past Misericordia 5-1.  Five different Cardinals scored as CUA improves to 8-1 in 2010 and drops the Cougars to 3-5.

CUA was credited with 14 shots in the game, while Misericordia totaled nine.  The Cardinals were awarded 12 penalty corners to the Cougars' seven and both CUA goalkeepers saw action, as Krystyanna Ramsdell got the start and sent back three shots before giving way to Megan Communale, who played the final 21 minutes.

Head coach Gia Cillizza shared her thoughts afterwards.  "We played very well today.  This was a great team effort; we were very proactive out there, we moved well, we shared the ball.  It was just a terrific group effort."

Cillizza then gave her thoughts on the response of her team following a tough loss on Saturday in the Landmark Conference opener.  "Certainly you always expect a positive response, but you're not sure of what is going to happen.  I thought it was great that we were able to bounce back the way we did."  She continued, "As soon as the game started it was evident what kind of game it was going to be.  We were locked in."

The Cardinals wasted little time in building an early lead as Tracey Scanlon found the back of the cage just 6:41 into the contest to give CUA a 1-0 lead.  Two minutes later Kendall Petschauer made it 2-0 when she scored following a penalty corner.

CUA's defense held the Cougars off the scoreboard for the first 35 minutes and the Cardinals took their 2-0 lead into halftime.

Ten minutes into the second half, Meredith Chandler gave CUA a 3-0 lead when she scored off a Mary Swarthout assist.  40 seconds later, the Cougars struck for their lone goal as Camilla Hansen scored on an Emily Foley feed to make it a 3-1 game.

Three minutes later, CUA answered with its fourth score of the contest when Swarthout netted an unassisted score.  Emma Dixon then put things out of reach when she took a feed from Scanlon off a penalty corner and fired a shot into the back of the cage for a 5-1 lead.

"It was great to get five goals from five different girls," Cillizza said.  "We played like such a unit; no one stood out as doing anything great, because it was such a great group effort."

The Cardinals now have over a week off before returning to action on October 5 when they travel to take on conference foe Goucher.  Game time is set for 7:00.  "I think the break comes at a perfect time," Cillizza said.  "It gives us a chance to regroup, recharge and figure out what we need to work on.  We've only had one conference game, so this allows us to come into the remainder of our conference schedule fresh."