Aug. 1, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - The play of senior Courtney Huff and junior Kerry O'Connell ranked among the highlights for the Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team in 2005. The youthful Hawks looked good early on, but by seasons' end the team's inexperience derailed SJU's drive for a first-ever Atlantic 10 Tournament appearance.

The Hawks opened the 2005 season quickly as O'Connell's four-goal performance versus Wagner helped spark the Hawks past Wagner 11-5. Freshman Lindsey-Kate McCool made the most of her rookie debut as the freshman scored two goals. In between the pipes, senior Courtney Huff made six saves against the Seahawks.

Following a loss to American University, Saint Joseph's posted its best offensive performances in back-to-back games.

At Lehigh, the Hawks collected a then season-high 13 goals, but the game was in doubt as the game was tied at 11 at the end of regulation. McCool would put the Hawks up early in the overtime, but Lehigh rallied to tie the game at 12. Thankfully for Saint Joseph's, O'Connell's fifth goal of the game proved to be the difference. O'Connell also went on to register an assist for six points, while McCool accounted for four goals and two assists.

Three days later, the Hawks registered their season best offensive output as Saint Joseph's posted 14 goals versus Lafayette. O'Connell led five Hawk players who scored more than one goal as the junior scored four times. McCool and sophomore Jenny Egan both tallied three goals apiece, while Lindsay Brown and Suzanne Finley accounted for the other four goals.

Despite dropping the next three games, the Hawks rebounded at Atlantic 10 foe Massachusetts. Saint Joseph's evened their conference record to 1-1 as O'Connell scored five times, including the game winner with 13 minutes remaining. McCool added two goals, while Huff made 11 saves.

Even though the Hawks chances of a postseason berth had been snuffed, Saint Joseph's did earn some bragging rights in its final victory of the season. Trailing 8-1 at the half to Villanova, the Hawks rallied off the final five goals of the contest to prevail 10-9. O'Connell again paced the Hawks, scoring five goals, but it was freshman Christina Colangelo who tallied the biggest goal. The rookie's goal with 14 seconds remaining in the game helped Saint Joseph's earn its fifth victory of the season.

Individually, O'Connell finished amongst the league leaders in several categories. She finished second in draw controls per game (3.53) tied for third in goals-per-game (3.0) and game-winning goals (three), seventh in shots-per-game (6.0) and eighth in points-per-game (3.21).

McCool also finished amongst A-10 leaders, ranking fourth in ground-balls-per-game at 2.87. Huff placed second in saves-per-game (9.33), fifth in save percentage (.450) and sixth in goals-against-average (11.5).

Nationally, O'Connell finished sixth in draw controls and 14th in goals per game.