Blow out
Lady laxer scores two on 20th birthday

By JIM IOVINO
Collegian Sports Writer

Women's lacrosse attacker Amy Carnaggio's two-goal performance on Saturday against Delaware held special meaning. That's because Saturday was Carnaggio's 20th birthday.

"This was a great birthday present," the sophomore said.

Carnaggio's started her birthday bash when she scored her first goal of the game at the two-minute, nine-second mark of the second half. That goal was part of a 6-1 Lady Lion run early in the half, during which the team fought back from a 5-3 deficit to take the lead for the first time in the game.

The Lady Lions never looked back on their way to an 11-8 victory.

Carnaggio continued to play well throughout the rest of the game. She capped off her birthday performance by scoring an important insurance goal with just under two minutes to go in the contest.

Delaware had just climbed back to within one goal of tying the game and was continuing to apply strong pressure. Then Carnaggio punched in her second goal of the game, making the score 10-8 in favor of Penn State.

"I don't know if it takes a birthday to get her going," Coach Julie Williams said, "I know that she has that in her. She needs to build her confidence a little more. I know that she can do that every day."

Saturday was Carnaggio's first two-goal game of her career. She had five goals in 14 games as a freshman last season, gaining valuable experience on defense when senior midfielder Jill Pearsall went down with a season-ending injury.

Carnaggio scored just one goal this season before the game on Saturday.

After she scored her first goal of the game, her teammates sung a rendition of "Happy Birthday to You." They also gave an encore performance after the win against the Blue Hens.

"I heard it the whole game," Carnaggio said, "and my parents were even yelling at me, too."

Carnaggio has been playing lacrosse for eight years. She played high school lacrosse in Severna Park, Md., and won four state championships. She was also an honorable mention All-American in lacrosse in grades 11 and 12.