Box Score

GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Coming on the heels of a thrilling 19-17 overtime victory over third-ranked Middlebury College, the Gettysburg College women's lacrosse team resumed its stance as the top defensive squad in NCAA Division III with a 17-0 blanking of Bryn Mawr College in Centennial Conference action at Clark Field on Saturday.

Gettysburg (11-0, 4-0 CC) is off the its second-best start in school history, trailing only the 2006 Bullets' 21-game win streak en route to the national title game. The Bullets maintained a perfect record 15-0 against Bryn Mawr (3-4, 0-2 CC) via a defensive stance which allowed the Owls only 10 shots and forced them into 36 turnovers. It was the seventh shutout in school history and the first since a 20-0 decision over Regis College in 2000.

With several big games looming on the horizon, Gettysburg used Saturday's contest to rest some of its regular starters, but there was no letdown as 10 different players reached the scoring column. Freshman Heidi Bitter (Darien, Conn./Westminster) led the attack with her third hat trick in as many games started, adding an assist for a four-point day. Sophomores Lauren Woodman (Denver, Colo./Kent) and Jessica Crane (Sudbury, Mass./Lincoln-Sudbury) each added two goals and an assist, while senior Cristi Farrell (Broomall, Pa./Academy of Notre Dame), sophomore Erin Cushing (Alexandria, Va./Bishop Ireton), and freshman Mary Spicer (Florar Park, N.Y./Sacred Heart Academy) each lit the lamp twice.

Gettysburg limited Bryn Mawr to just 4-of-13 on clear attempts and forced the Owls into 23 turnovers in the first half alone. The defense translated into quick-strike offense as the hosts netted the game's first four goals in less than four minutes, including two by Cushing. The Bullets added five more scores, including two each by Bitter and Woodman in the final 15:40 to take a 9-0 advantage into the break.

It didn't take long to put the running clock into effect with Crane's first goal 52 seconds into the final period. Sophomore Nina Emala (Baltimore, Md./Bryn Mawr) had a hand in four of Gettysburg's last seven goals, scoring one herself and dishing out assists to Crane, Spicer, and freshman Sam Greenspan (Purchase, N.Y./Rye Country Day School). Farrell closed the day's scoring following a pass from freshman Beth Mounsey (Chapel Hill, N.C./Western Albemane) at 10:24.

Also contributing to the offense for Gettysburg was sophomore Grace Concannon (Columbia, Md./Oakland Mills) with a goal and an assist, freshman Behle Holbrook (The Plains, Va./St. Andrew's School (Del.)) with a goal, and freshman Marnie Commins (Fairfax Station, Va./Robinson) with an assist.

Bitter was a major contributor on the defensive side of the field in addition to her offensive exploits, notching five ground balls and three caused turnovers. Sophomore Anna Scanlan (Lutherville, Md./Roland Park Country School) matched Bitter for team honors with three caused turnovers, adding three ground balls and two draw controls, while senior Sam Pyzik (Westminster, Md./Mercy) tallied three ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Freshmen Laura McIntyre (Glenmoore, Pa./Coatesville) and Laura Block (Leesburg, Va./Foxcroft School) each played a half and recorded three saves apiece.

Gettysburg continues conference play in its next contest on Tuesday (April 1) with a road trip to Dickinson College. Game time is set for 4:30 p.m.