Jazmin Lopez Scores Twice in First Action This Season; Firebirds Fall at Molloy

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY – Senior Jazmin Lopez led the Firebirds with two goals in her first action of the season since returning from injury, but the University of the District of Columbia women's lacrosse team was defeated by East Coast Conference foe Molloy College, 21-4 on Saturday afternoon at RVC Sports Complex.

Lopez, who now has 17 career goals, scored the Firebirds' 1^st and 3^rd goals of the day, and seniors Aaliyah Carter and Dominique Dotson each scored a goal apiece as well. Carter also had a game-high five draw controls.

Defensively, freshman goalkeeper Jada Foy had a season-high 11 saves on 32 shots faced in a complete game effort. Also, Carter tied for a game-high two caused turnovers.

Molloy (6-3, 1-2 ECC) featured 12 different goal-scorers, including a game-high three goals apiece by attack Jessica Markowitz and reserve Angela Bollettieri. Midfielder Brianna Wilson also had two goals and a game-high four assists, and attack Casie Caiazza had two goals and three assists.

The Lions scored four goals in just over three minutes to open the game and would open up a 16-2 halftime advantage courtesy of 11-of-18 draw control wins and a 27-7 shot advantage in the opening period. Lopez and Carter each scored a goal at 26:26 and 19:31, respectively.

Molloy would tack on another five consecutive goals to begin the 2^nd half, extending its lead to 21-2 approaching the five-minute mark. Lopez and Dotson would both score free position goals – Lopez at 3:32 and Dotson at 2:14 - bringing UDC's goal total to four at the end of regulation. The Firebirds finished the day 3-of-6 on free position shots.

Head Coach Melynda Brown said although it may not have been reflected in the score, the team's focus on "team" was evident today.

"We played good team defense, we supported each other in the midfield and trusted one another on attack," Brown said. "We played a hard 60-minute battle as a team, and that's all we can ask for."

Next up, UDC will host the No. 4 ranked team in Division II, LIU Post for what will be the first ever home lacrosse game played on the campus of the University of the District of Columbia. The game will begin at 12 p.m.