STEUBENVILLE, Ohio - The Lady Barons worked hard to step ahead of the Medaille Mavericks, reaching a 3-0 lead by halftime and then transitioning into defensive play to maintain that lead. Closely matched, and fighting for conference standing, both teams played a fast, aggressive game, finishing with the halftime score.

During the first half, the Lady Barons concentrated on the offense, keeping pressure high to score their first three goals.

Junior defender Mary Duran stabbed toward the center and chipped the ball over the keeper from outside the 18,' brushing the goalie's fingers but landing the ball squarely in the net for the Lady Baron's first goal. 

Meanwhile senior offensive midfielder Julia Cocozza kept up consistent supportive play and fed opportunities to her forwards, assisting two goals.  Junior forward Hannah Cooke and senior mid Ashley Ruttencutter finished Julia's balls to put the Lady Barons ahead 3-0. 

By halftime, with a 3-0 lead, the Lady Barons could afford to take a breather, strategically transitioning from offense to defense.    

"We laid back on our attack in the second half, but that was intentional," head coach Clare McBane said.  "We were already up 3-0 and we wanted to make sure that we kept our lead."  

Tactically speaking, the decision played out well.  Not only did the team maintain their lead, but they kept their calm and played consistently. Defense set the tone for the second half, supporting both midfield and offense.

"Our defense plays a very, very composed game," McBane said.  "As soon as they have time and space, they really use it well to start building our attack.  We start building our attack even on the defensive line and I have to credit that to the talent of the defense." 

Junior defender Monica Dawyot was a major component of that defensive line. 

"Monica Dawyot had yet again, another phenomenal game.  Her defensive presence and some of the stops that she made on defense absolutely changed the game in our favor," McBane said. "We would not have had a shutout if it were not for Monica's defensive presence." 

The defense depended on Dawyot for her consistent presence, but also looked to senior goalkeeper Mallorie Garthwaite for added defensive support. Garthwaite had her share of difficult and dangerous balls. 

"While she didn't have to save many balls, the saves that she made were very difficult and she really did a great job in the net," McBane said. "It was Monica and Mallorie who made the difference in this game." 

Looking towards conference standing, Franciscan's 3-0 win is important.  This win knocked Medaille out of first seat in the conference, moving Franciscan a step in the right direction. However, with two teams ahead in the conference lineup, the Lady Barons still have work to do. 

"One of those teams we haven't played yet and the other team is the team that beat us, Pitt Bradford," McBane said. "That's our only conference loss. Medaille beat Bradford, so it's an interesting dynamic and I'm not positive how it's going to fall out." 

The Lady Barons will next play Hilbert College on October 18th at 1pm.