SHEPERDSTOWN, W.Va. - - Trailing by one goal in the final three minutes, the Wilmington University women's lacrosse team stormed back and defeated Shepherd, 10-9, on Friday afternoon at Ram Stadium.
Shepherd (1-2) scored the first three goals of the fourth quarter to take a 9-8 lead, but Ella Royer and Ella Baynes scored and the Wildcats (2-0) came back to take the victory. Goalkeeper Katie Vindigni slammed the door shut with a point-blank save just before the buzzer sounded.
Shepherd jumped out of the gates and scored four of the first five goals of the game, taking a 4-1 lead after the first quarter. Ella Royer put the Wildcats on the board with a goal with 5:44 to play, 2-1, but the Rams scored the final two goals of the quarter.
Royer started the second quarter with a goal and then Makenzie Stritzinger got in the box score with a free position shot. Royer then made it three in a row for the Wildcats, tying the game, 4-4, with 5:21 to play. The Rams took the lead going into halftime though, scoring the final goal of the quarter to lead, 5-4.
Maddie Day scored her lone goal of the game to start the third quarter and then Ella Royer and Ella Baynes scored as the Wildcats moved ahead, 7-5 with 8:26 to play in the third. After the Rams broke the Wildcats' run with a goal, Baynes scored on a free position attempt to make it 8-6 in favor of the Wildcats after the third quarter.
Shepherd stormed back with the first three goals of the fourth, however, taking a 9-8 lead with 6:20 showing on the clock. Ella Royer tied the game with her fifth goal of the game with 2:21 to play and then Rile McQuiade won the ensuing draw to give possession back to the Wildcats. Ella Baynes then took a feed from McQuiade and scored with 1:23 to play, giving the Wildcats the lead.
Makenzie Stritzinger won the ensuing draw, but the Rams forced a turnover and raced the other way. On the break, the Rams had a player in front, but Katie Vindigni was there to stuff the high shot with four seconds left to preserve the 10-9 victory.
Ella Royer led the Wildcats with five goals and six ground balls while Ella Baynes added three goals. Amelie Gamache finished with two assists and two ground balls. Makenzie Stritzinger had a game-high six draws. Katie Vindigni made 10 saves in goal for the Wildcats.
Wilmington Appalachian tour continues into Ashland, Ohio, on Sunday as the Wildcats take on the Eagles. The opening draw is set for 12:00 p.m.