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American Powers Past Denver, 17-2
Bennett notches five goals, Riitano and Cartin three to lead Eagles

March 19, 2002

Courtney Bennett scored five goals to lead American to a decisive 16-2 win over Denver on March 19.

WASHINGTON — Courtney Bennett (McLean, Va./McLean) scored five goals and Lindsey Cartin (West Chester, Pa./Henderson East) and Gina Riitano (Schenectady, N.Y./Albany Academy for Girls) each added three as American rolled to a decisive 17-2 win over visiting Denver here on Tuesday afternoon. The two goals allowed by the Eagles was the lowest figure for an opponent since the 1997 campaign.

American (4-3, 2-0 Patriot) got on the scoreboard just 1:34 into the contest as Riitano, the Patriot League’s Rookie of the Week, found the back of the net on an unassisted play. Bennett took over from there, scoring three straight goals to push the Eagle margin to 4-0.

Cartin tallied an unassisted goal at 14:14, and Laura Repoli (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury) followed that just 44 seconds later off a feed from Nicole McCarthy (Flourtown, Pa./Springfield Montgomery). Dominating the offensive end of the field, American outshot Denver, 27-13.

Denver (2-4, 2-2 MPLL) finally broke through in the 29th minute, when Melissa Holecheck (Hurlock, Md./Sts. Peter & Paul) drove to the net and finished the play. The Eagles took a commanding 8-1 lead into the half.

American came out strong to start the second half, scoring three goals, including two by Riitano, in the first five minutes of the period.

Laura Randisi (Towson, Md./Notre Dame Prep), the reigning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week, made six saves to earn the win. McCarthy, who finished with a goal and two assists, was outstanding defensively, collecting nine ground balls and causing six turnovers.

Cartin scored three goals and Adele Fenwick (Chevy Chase, Md./Stone Ridge) scored two goals for the Eagles. Lindsay Carmichael and Repoli each added a goal and an assist. Marisa Richter recorded her first career assist in the game as well.

American returns to action this Saturday, March 23, when it travels to Hamilton, N.Y., to face Colgate at 1:00 p.m. in a Patriot League game.