Kylie Ohlmiller scores 7 goals as Stony Brook routs Bryant
Stony Brook attacker Courtney Murphy, left, and attacker Kylie Ohlmiller celebrate a goal against Bryant in an NCAA women's lacrosse game at LaValle Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Kylie Ohlmiller wasted no time notching a hat trick . . . and then some.
The Islip product scored her first goal of the game with 22:56 remaining in the first half and then scored twice more in the next 53 seconds. Ohlmiller had a career-high seven goals and five assists to lead No. 6/7 Stony Brook to an emphatic 20-5 win over visiting Bryant.
Coming off a 10-9 win over No. 19 Towson in the season-opener two weeks ago, Stony Brook wanted to assert its aggressive, fast-paced style early against Bryant. Mission accomplished.
“There was a lot more adrenaline today, a lot more energy with the team in warmups,” Ohlmiller said. “It’s a home opener on a beautiful Saturday. It was a whole different vibe. We decided as a team to put Towson behind us. Yes, it was a win, which is big. But we tried to put it behind us and focus on today.”
Ohmiller’s 12 points were the second-most in program history behind Claire Petersen, who had 13 in March 2013 against Longwood.
Courtney Murphy (Shirley) had six goals and an assist despite breaking her left hand early against Towson. She wore protective padding and a soft cast, but it didn’t prevent her from scoring at her usual rate.
“I’ve been practicing with it wrapped up and everything,” said Murphy, who is now 50 goals from breaking the all-time NCAA record. “I think I was used to it; I don’t think it really effected me today.”
The Seawolves built a 9-0 lead in the game’s first 16 minutes before allowing consecutive goals to Bryant’s Maggie Pressler. Stony Brook led by no fewer than seven goals for the rest of the game and continued pressuring Bryant with a feisty defense even when the game was out of reach late.
“I know what makes my team go, and that is what makes us go,” said coach Joe Spallina about his decision to stay aggressive. “We have to feel like everybody disrespects us, no one likes us.”
Keri McCarthy (Hauppauge) served as a spark plug on draws and on offense after receiving extended playing time thanks to what Spallina called an “enormous week” at practice.
She won eight draws, scored twice and had an assist. Stony Brook (2-0) won 20 of 27 draws.
Spallina received significant contributions from most of his starters. Dorrien Van Dyke (Northport) had a goal, four assists and six draw controls. Samantha DiSalvo (Lynbrook) had three goals and two assists. Kristin Yevoli (Massapequa) had two assists, three draw controls and four ground balls.
Caitlin Breglia (Long Beach) had two goals and an assist for Bryant in her first collegiate game.
Operating under the mantra “us against the world,” the Seawolves were motivated and set the tone heading into Tuesday’s road tilt against Marist. Mission accomplished.
