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#17 Delaware 12, Rutgers 5
March 14, 2001

Fortunato, O'Connell Snap Out of Slumps to Lead Blue Hen Women

Megan Fortunato Had Four Goals for the Hens

PISCATAWAY, NJ -- University of Delaware seniors Megan Fortunato and Kate O'Connell each broke out of early-season scoring slumps in a big way Wednesday as they combined for seven goals in the Blue Hens' 12-5 non-league women's lacrosse victory over Rutgers at Rutgers University Stadium Complex.

Fortunato (Upper Moreland/Hatboro, PA) scored four goals and O'Connell (Mt. de Sales/Columbia, MD) tallied three times and dished out three assists as the No. 17 ranked Blue Hens rebounded from Saturday's 11-6 upset loss to unranked Old Dominion in their home opener.

Rutgers, playing its third straight Top 20 opponent, fell to 0-4 on the season. Lori Perrill had one goal and one assist and Andrienne Booth, Nancy Grater, Jessica Apel, and Kate Slotman each scored once for the Scarlet Knights.

Fortunato, who led last year's NCAA qualifying team in scoring with 31 goals and 25 points, had been held to just one assists in two games this season while O'Connell, who tallied 35 times a year ago, had scored just once.

But both found the back of nets often on Wednesday as the Blue Hens jumped out to a 7-2 halftime lead and never looked back in downing Rutgers for the ninth time in the last 10 meetings.

The Hens jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead nine minutes into the game as Brooke Mulligan, who had two goals and an assist, tallied five minutes in and O'Connell scored 22 seconds later. Delaware's leading scorer Ashley Moderacki and Fortunato also added goals before Rutgers got on the board with 19:08 left in the first half. Fortunato and O'Connell each scored one more time in the half to give UD the 7-2 halftime cushion.

O'Connell and Fortunato scored the first two goals of the second half as well to give Delaware a 9-2 lead before Slotman scored for Rutgers with 13:02 left in the game.

Delaware goalkeeper Laurie Tortorelli posted 12 saves to earn her second victory of the season.

Delaware, which opened a six-game, 24-day road trip vs. Rutgers, returns to action this Saturday when the Hens open the America East conference season at Towson at 11 a.m.

AGATE:

Delaware...........7..........5..........12 (2-1)
Rutgers.............2..........3............5 (0-4)

Scoring (Goals-Assists)

Delaware - Megan Fortunato, 4-0, Kristi O'Connell, 3-3, Brooke Mulligan, 2-1, Katrina Metz, 1-0, Ashley Moderacki, 1-1, Corinne Shuck, 1-0; Rutgers - Lori Perrill, 1-1, Andrienne Booth, 1-0, Nancy Grater, 1-0, Jessica Apel, 1-0, Kate Slotman, 1-0

Shots: Delaware - 22; Saves: Delaware - 12 (Laurie Tortorelli); Groundballs: Delaware - 16; Draw Controls: Delaware - 7; Caused Turnovers: Delaware - 7; Note: Rutgers totals not available

 

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