With less than five seconds remaining in regulation, the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team found Sara LeBrun in front of the goal to tie the game with 0.2 seconds remaining on the clock, but Georgian Court spoiled Senior Day in overtime, 17-11, on Saturday afternoon at the WU Athletics Complex.
The first half was a back-and forth battle with neither team gaining larger than a two-goal lead. The Wildcats (6-10, 5-3 CACC) scored four-of-five midway through the half to gain a 5-4 lead before Georgian Court (10-5, 6-2 CACC) scored three straight of their own to lead 7-5. LeBrun responded with back-to-back free position goals to tie the game 7-7 but the Lions scored with 12 seconds left in the half to take an 8-7 lead into the break.
Coming out of the half, the Wildcats would go on a 3-0 run which was sparked by a goal from senior Rebekah McCurry at 25:40. Teammate La'Dae Boykin would score at 24:00 as well as Madeline Hewitt with 17:10 left in regulation to give the Wildcats a two-goal lead. The Lions would bounce back as Williams and Brown would score consecutively to bring the score to 10-10 late into the second half.
The Lions' Brown would make it three-straight goals for the visitors with a score with 3:34 left in regulation to give the team a late lead in the contest.
The Lions controlled the ensuing draw but both teams turned the ball over inside their own offensive zone. The Lions attempted to clear the ball with 16 seconds left but Paulaina Gabbert came up with a caused turnover and ground to give the Wildcats a last ditch effort. Boykin was fouled with less then three seconds remaining allowing the Wildcats to set up a last second play.
Boykin passed the ball into the middle of the field while McCurry quickly got the ball ahead to LeBrun in front of the crease. LeBrun spun over her right shoulder and beat the goalie to tie the game as the clock showed 0.2 seconds left in regulation.
But the Wildcats couldn't carry the momentum into the overtime period, as the Lions scored twice in the first three-minute period before adding four more in the second three-minute period to run away with the win. Williams tallied five points with three goals and two assists in the overtime period.
With the win, the Lions secured the No. 2 seed in the CACC Tournament and a first round by in the quarterfinal round.
In the contest, the Wildcats put more shots on goal, 29-25, scooped up more ground balls, 33-23, and surrendered less turnovers 24-26, than the Lions, but Georgian Court goalkeepers Amanda Cathcart and Stephanie Lehner were the different makers with 11 saves.
The Wildcat offense was led by LeBrun's four goals on eight shots while Gabby Spalt and Maddie Hewitt who each scored a pair of goals. Senior goalie Corinne Dries had five saves on the day to help keep the Wildcats in the contest.
Saturday was the regular season finale for the Wildcats but the Wildcats earned the No. 4 seed in the upcoming CACC Tournament, earning a home game in the quarterfinal round. The Wildcats will host No. 5 Chestnut Hill on Tuesday at the WU Athletics Complex.
Press Release written by Sports Information Intern Jake Weitzenecker
