PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Howard lacrosse dropped a 16-6 decision to La Salle Saturday afternoon at McCarthy Stadium. With the loss, the Bison move to 0-3 on the season, while the Explorers improve to 2-1.
La Salle built an early advantage, capitalizing on free-position opportunities and extra-player chances in the opening quarter. Graduate attacker Sawyer Walker (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) put Howard on the board first with a man-down goal at the 8:22 mark, but the Explorers responded with four unanswered goals to close the period ahead, 4-1.
In the second quarter, sophomore attacker Kyla Newkirk (Durham, N.C.) sparked the Bison offense, netting two goals in a 5:33 span to trim the deficit to 7-3. La Salle answered with two more strikes before halftime to take an 8-3 lead into the break.
After the Explorers opened the third quarter with a goal, senior attacker Tea Vasquez (Oakland, Calif.) found the back of the net at the 7:56 mark to make it 9-4. La Salle added another late score to extend its lead to 10-4 heading into the final period.
Howard continued to battle in the fourth. Newkirk completed her hat trick early in the frame, and Walker added a man-up goal midway through the quarter. The graduate standout also recorded a game-high 16 draw controls, surpassing 200 career draw controls in the contest. Despite controlling the draw circle, 20-5, the Bison were unable to overcome La Salle's efficiency in transition and on free-position attempts.
Newkirk led Howard with three goals on three shots, while Walker finished with two goals, three ground balls and 16 draw controls. Vasquez added one score for the Bison.
Freshman goalkeeper London James-Golas (Annapolis, Md.) made nine saves in 30 minutes of action, while sophomore Taylor Williams (West Chester, Pa.) recorded three stops in the second half. Howard totaled 24 shots (14 on goal) and 18 ground balls in the contest.
Howard returns home Sunday, Feb. 22, to host cross-town opponent American at 11 a.m. in its home opener.
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website at www.hubison.com.