Ryan Scores Three In Central's Loss at Quinnipiac

Freshman Mackenzy Ryan recorded the second three-goal performance of her career, but Central Connecticut State University dropped its fourth straight game on Sunday. Senior Courtney Mooney added her second goal of the season as the Blue Devils fall to 2-4 on the year after losing a 20-4 game at Quinnipiac. CCSU will next continue its four game road trip with contests at Howard and Liberty on March 24 and 26, respectively.

After senior Lyndsey Mastandrea corralled the first draw control of the game, Ryan got the Blue Devils on the board first after only 39 seconds of play. Fellow freshman Betsy Vendel fed Ryan for the score, recording her team-leading sixth assist of the season.

CCSU extended its lead to two when Ryan connected on one of her two free position goals on the day. Junior Michele Conway scooped up a ground ball in the Blue Devils' defensive third of the field and Central was able to complete a successful clear into the Bobcat end of the field. It was then that CCSU was awarded the free position attempt that Ryan finished off for the 2-0 lead with 24:36 to play in the opening period.

Over the next 12 minutes Quinnipiac scored eight straight goals to take a commanding 8-2 lead with another 12 minutes to play in the first half. Laura Iannotti started the Bobcat run off with three straight goals within one minute and two seconds of each other to give QU the lead at 3-2.

Central made a final attempt to stop the bleeding when Mooney and Ryan scored back to back free position goals within a one minute span to get within four at 8-4 with 9:40 to play in the first period. The run proved to be an insufficient tourniquet as the Bobcats scored five more before the break to take a 13-4 lead into the locker rooms.

The Blue Devils were held scoreless after the intermission, while Quinnipiac finished off seven more goals during second half action to go on to the 20-4 victory. The Bobcats were successful thanks to a 37-9 shot advantage, as well as forcing CCSU into 27 turnovers while only recording 12.

Sophomore Erin DeLancey finished with 12 saves while playing all 60 minutes for CCSU. Quinnipiac goalkeepers Lexi DeStefano and Noelle Martello split time in net. DeStefano recorded three saves while allowing four goals in 39 minutes, while Martello didn't tally a save but held Central scoreless in 21 minutes of action.