Recap: Team Apuzzo surges in second half to defeat Team Colson, 10-9

Nicole Levy scores 6 goals to score single-game goal record

Eric Rhew

Jul 29, 2023

SPARKS, Md. — Attacker Nicole Levy had her sights set on taking all of the attention with a record-tying effort, but Team Apuzzo spoiled those plans by mounting a second-half comeback en route to securing a 10-9 verdict over Team Colson to begin Saturday’s Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse doubleheader at USA Lacrosse Headquarters.

The win elevated Team Apuzzo’s record to 2-0 in Week Two, while Team Colson suffered its second consecutive setback.

Levy, who secured MVP 1 recognition, matched the league single-game record by scoring six goals, including a pair of two-point markers. The former Syracuse standout also contributed an assist en route to collecting 159 leaderboard points.

Midfielder Dempsey Arsenault netted two goals with two assists to claim MVP 2 honors in the win for Team Apuzzo. The former Boston College product led all players with 177 leaderboard points, including 62 stat points.

Defender Meg Douty authored three caused turnovers and two ground balls to receive MVP 3 honors and finish with 91 leaderboard points in the loss for Team Colson.

Attacker Sam Geiersbach paced Team Apuzzo offensively with three goals, while midfielder Amanda Johansen chipped in a pair of markers.

KEY MOMENT

Trailing by a 6-3 margin with 8:29 left in the second quarter, Team Apuzzo answered with six consecutive goals over the next 18 minutes to take a 9-6 advantage on an Arsenault unassisted goal. Levy’s second two-point goal trimmed the margin to 9-8 with 6:08 left in the final frame, but Geiersbach sealed the win with her third goal of the game at the 3:38 mark.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

Arsenault moved into fourth place on the leaderboard after rising 18 spots with her 177 leaderboard points. Attacker Sam Apuzzo reclaimed the top spot in the league standings and holds a 34-point bulge over goalkeeper Taylor Moreno, who faces Team Read in the nightcap.

GAME NOTES

Team Read and Team Apuzzo combined to register seven assists in Saturday’s game, upping the league’s season total to 59 assists through nine games … Aspiration is committed to planting 10 trees for every assist during the season as part of its ‘Aspiration Assists’ initiative.
Team Apuzzo outshot Team Colson by a 29-20 margin, including a commanding 12-3 edge in the third quarter as part of its comeback victory.
Levy’s six goals matched the Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse single-game record set by attacker Charlotte North against Team Johansen on August 14, 2022.
Apuzzo was limited to just one goal in the win on Saturday, snapping a streak of nine consecutive multi-goal performances … She had scored 25 goals during the span.
Apuzzo improved to 14-3 all-time as a team captain, including a 4-1 mark this season.
Team Apuzzo were without two of its players for a portion of the game after midfielder Grace Griffin and defender Courtney Taylor were issued red cards for attempting shots that hit a player above the knee.
Each team committed two shot clock violations in the contest.