PHILADELPHIA, PA. - The Saint Anselm women's lacrosse team faced the Philadelphia University Rams this afternoon in a nonconference game held at Drexel University.  In a back-and-forth battle, the Hawks came out victorious, defeating the Rams 14-13.  The win lifts the Hawks to 2-1 (0-0 NE-10), while the Rams open their season 0-1 (0-0 CACC).

The Rams took the first lead of the game just 55 seconds after the opening whistle with a goal by Caribeth Shappell.  Carrie Brophy (Mansfield, Mass.) tied the game at 28:04, and Meghan Smith (Pittsford, N.Y.) and Tia Karon (Medford, Mass.) gave the Hawks a 3-1 at 18:31.  The Rams tied the game at 17:58, but Smith scored again 16:28 to go up 4-3.  Two goals by Shappell gave the lead back to the Rams at 11:47, but three Hawk goals in the final minute of the first half gave the Hawks a 7-5 lead heading into the break. The Rams tied the game 7-7 at 22:10 in the second half, but the Hawks took back the lead at 20:20 and never lost it, outlasting the Rams 14-13.

Caribeth Shappell led both teams in scoring, notching five goals and an assist for six points in the game.  Teammate Kathleen Maurer scored four goals and an assist, and Hawks Tia Karon and Meghan Smith each had four goals of their own.  Hawk goaltender Katherine O'Hara (Norwell, Mass.) made 18 saves in her second win of the season, and Katherine Sullivan turned aside 11 shots in the loss.

The Hawks have a short break before returning to action for the Northeast-10 Conference season opener at Southern New Hampshire on March 17th.