Jan. 27, 2008

by Clare Lochary, Lacrosse Magazine Online Staff

[CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE PHOTO GALLERY]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - You don't know what you've got `til it's gone, especially in the case of star attackers.

Former Johns Hopkins women's lacrosse player Mary Key had three goals and three assists to help the U.S. Elite team to a 19-6 win over the Blue Jays in the second day of competition Sunday at US Lacrosse's Champions Challenge at the Disney Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

"It was fun. We were joking around a lot," said Key. "When one of their defenders got a goal, I just turned to her and said, `What was that? You never even cross the line!'"

Although senior defender Kathryn Dumais contributed an unexpected goal and freshmen Brooke Foussadier (2g) and Brianna Cronin (1g, 1a) showed some spark, Hopkins struggled to find a consistent way to penetrate Elite's defense without Key.

Meanwhile, Key had a complete game for the U.S. team, feeding from behind the cage and shooting with equal ease.

"In the international game, you find yourself behind the goal a lot," said Key. "In college, I was up top and down low."

After a tentative start in Saturday's 14-7 victory over the Developmental team, Elite came out with guns blazing, spreading its scoring over seven different players. Quinn Carney scored five goals and added an assist, and veteran attacker Michele DeJuliis contributed four goals and an assist, in the win Sunday.

Up 8-5 at halftime, Team USA outscored Hopkins 11-1 in the second half, seldom allowing the Blue Jays an opportunity against an unrelenting ride and draw control unit.

While Hopkins junior goalie Lizzie O'Ferrall managed some solid stops against the game's best shooters, Elite made the Blue Jays work for every carry over the midfield line. That aggressiveness made for physical play - the game totaled four yellow cards, including three on Hopkins.

The Blue Jays' third yellow card came when Foussadier checked Elite defender Regina Oliver in the head with 24:44 remaining in the second half. Hopkins subsequently played a man down for two minutes, during which time Elite scored two goals.

Duke, Devo draw even

Kelly Taylor (North Carolina '09) scored in the game's final minute, as the U.S. Developmental team tied Duke, 10-10, in exhibition play Sunday.

Duke had an 8-6 lead with less than three minutes to play. Junior attacker Megan Del Monte led the Blue Devils with four goals and an assist.