Winchester, VA – The nineteenth-ranked Catholic women's basketball team traveled to Winchester, Virginia to take on the Shenandoah Hornets in the season opener. Despite having a 20 point lead in the third quarter, the Cardinals were unable to hold on until the final buzzer, falling 62-59 .
Catholic scored first and held the lead throughout the first quarter, ending 19-8. Amelia Kennedy put the Cardinals on the board thirteen seconds into the game with an early foul call on the Hornets. Sophomore Raquel Guidetti helped increase the lead with an early four points off of two layups, one of which occured during a fastbreak. Catholic outscored Shenandoah 19-8 in the first quarter with an impressive 61.5 field goal percentage.
During the second quarter, the Cardinals played with the same offensive rhythm, scoring 18 points. A layup from Lauren Kraft and a jumper from Ella Iacone improved the lead to 35-17, leaving the Cardinals with a significant 18 points above the Hornets heading into halftime.
During the third quarter, Shenandoah's Nesselrodt went on an 8 point run, cutting the Cardinal lead. Both teams scored 13 points. The sophomore transfer Carly Catania contributed the most during this quarter, earning six of her 12 points. Catania sank all four of her free throw attempts and scored a layup in the paint. With her second free throw make, the Cardinals reached a game-high 20 point lead with 6:59 left in the quarter.
The Cardinals were outscored 25 to 9 in the fourth quarter with Shenandoah collecting a 66.67 field goal percentage in the process. Catholic's Kennedy and Alexandra Falesto scored early, keeping the lead at 56-48 with just under five minutes left to play. The Cardinals then went into a scoring drought, while the Hornets answered with six points. With 58 seconds left in the game, it was all tied up at 58 points apiece. McKenna Karlson quickly answered, making good on her free throw attempt. But Shenandoah's Emily Williams brought the score to 60-59 in the Hornet's favor for the first time all game with 36 seconds left on the clock. Unable to answer in the final seconds, the Cardinals ultimately fell 62-59.
Senior Amelia Kennedy not only led the Cardinals offensively, she earned a career high 19 points in today's matchup. Kennedy also led the team in rebounds with eight and teammate Alexa Kenah followed close behind with seven.
Catania fought and earned three steals against the Hornets with Guidetti and Lauren Kraft collecting a pair apiece.
Up next, the Cardinals will take on Johns Hopkins in the Bridgewater Classic on Saturday, November 15th at 6 pm hosted at Bridgewater (Va).
