NEWARK, Del. - - Caldwell scored four of the final five goals to storm back and steal a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game against the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team, 18-17, on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The Wildcats (4-7, 2-2 CACC) scored on a man-down opportunity to take a 16-14 lead with 6:09 left in regulation, but the Cougars (2-6, 2-2 CACC) scored three straight and the game-winner with 3:16 left in regulation on the man-advantage for the 18-17 victory.
Tied at 8-8 at the halftime break, the Cougars capped a 5-0 run with the first two goals of the second half to take a 10-8 lead. The teams then traded back-to-back goals, with La'Dae Boykin and Alexis Miller eventually tying the game, 12-12 with 19:20 showing on the clock.
Caldwell regain the leaf with a goal, but the Wildcats looked to take control with three straight marks, finished with back-to-back goals from Boykin to take a 15-13 lead with 8:34 left in regulation.
The Cougars scored once again to close the gap to a single goal before Boykin converted another free-position shot to regain a two-goal lead, 16-14, with 6:09 to play.
But that is when the Cougars made their comeback, as they scored on the man-advantage with 5:52 left, tied the game with a goal with 4:39 left, and took the lead just 12 seconds later, 17-16, with 4:27 showing on the clock.
La'Dae Boykin won the ensuing draw control and went right to goal, earning another free-position attempt with 4:08 to play. She scored her career high eighth goal of the day to again tie the game, 17-17.
The Cougars won the ensuing draw control scored on a man-advantage opportunity with 3:16 left on the clock.
The Wildcats had possession trailing by one, but shots from Lashay Ross and Alexis Miller were wide of the net, allowing Caldwell to gain possession. Trying to run out the clock, the Cougars turned the ball back over as Mikailla Spencer stepped in front of a pass.
Following a timeout with 10 seconds left, Lashay Ross' last second attempt was saved and the Cougars pulled out the victory.
La'Dae Boykin scored eight goals on 10 shots, adding seven draws and two ground balls. Taylor Lambeth scored four goals on five shots while Ross finished with two goals and an assist to go with 10 draws. Alexis Miller was the final Wildcat with multiple goals, scoring twice. Mariah Spencer rounded out the Wildcat scoring with one goal.
The Wildcats outshot the Cougars, 37-26, but Cougar netminder Nancy Benedetto made 13 saves for the win. The Wildcats also gained more draws, 23-14.
The Wildcats return to action on Tuesday when they head to CACC leading Georgian Court for another conference match. The opening draw in Lakewood, N.J. is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
