No. 1 Harford pulls away to top Monroe

ROCHESTER - An early advantage couldn't hold up as No. 5 Monroe Community College dropped a 12-6 decision to top-ranked Harford Community College in an NJCAA women's lacrosse battle on DiMarco Field Thursday afternoon.

The Tribunes (4-3) built a 4-2 lead late in the first half, but the Fighting Owls (8-0) responded with three straight to take a one-goal lead into the break. Harford then added the first four goals of the second half to take command.

Draw controls were key for the Owls, as they won 15 of 19 draws to help maintain possession. Harford outshot Monroe 47-18 on the day.

Monroe trailed 1-0 early before Elissa Callaway scored twice to put the Tribunes in the lead. Emily Smith then added a tally as MCC went up 3-1.

Beth Bishop snapped the skip with a goal for the Owls, but Makenzie Storto followed with one of her own to restore a two-goal lead for Monroe. But the Tribunes would then go more than 20 minutes without a goal as Harford took control.

Bishop scored once and assisted on another as Harford led 5-4 at the break. Sarah Dudick then scored three in a 4-0 run to start the second half as the Owls raced to a 9-4 lead.

Callaway and Smith added goals down the stretch for Monroe. Kyrsten Stone finished with four assists on the game.

Harford could have added a handful of other scores if not for the stellar play of Tribune goalie Leah Di Domenico. The freshman was a force in the cage, stopping 21 Owl shots. Stone had a team-high five ground balls, while Storto and Devin Stahlman added four apiece.