Rutgers women’s lacrosse takes down Ohio State in overtime
The Rutgers women’s lacrosse team earned its first Big Ten win of the season today after defeating Ohio State in overtime by a score of 13-12. The Scarlet Knights (7-7, 1-5) went on a 6-0 scoring run to claim the thrilling victory over the Buckeyes (5-11, 0-6).
The first quarter proved to be a back-and-forth affair between both teams. Zoe Coleman scored the 1st goal of the match for Ohio State after approximately 3 minutes of play. Rutgers responded with 8:48 remaining, with senior midfielder Cassidy Spilis scoring a free position goal.
Thirty-three seconds later, senior attacker Jenna Byrne netted a goal to give the Knights their first lead of the contest. The Buckeyes would fire back to retake the lead with 2 goals from Jamie Level.
Freshman attacker Ava Kane netted 2 goals less than 3 minutes apart to put Rutgers back ahead. Level then secured her hat trick from a free position goal to tie up the score at 4-4 heading into the second quarter.
Ohio State started off the second quarter on the front foot when Nicole Ferrara found the back of the cage after 33 seconds of play. The Knights fired back when junior midfielder Mikayla Dever scored a goal less than 2 minutes later.
The Buckeyes would gain momentum and establish a 2-goal lead thanks to the efforts of Annie Hargraves and Jamie Lasda. Ohio State would then take an 8-5 lead heading into halftime after a free-position goal from Casey Roberts. Rutgers struggled offensively in the second quarter, only scoring 1 goal.
Freshman attacker and midfielder Lily Dixon netted the 1st goal of the third quarter for the Knights after approximately 4 minutes of play. The Buckeyes increased their lead to 4 goals after Caly O'Brien and Roberts both found the back of the cage. Level scored again for her 4th goal of the game with 2:07 remaining to extend Ohio State's lead to 5 goals.
Shortly after, junior midfielder Ashley Moynahan ended the Buckeyes' scoring run after scoring a free position attempt for Rutgers. Going into the final quarter, the Knights trailed 11-7.
Rutgers would come alive on offense in the fourth quarter, scoring 5 goals. O'Brien scored her 2nd goal of the contest 45 seconds into the quarter. With 2 quick goals from graduate student attacker Marin Hartshorn and Kane, the Knights cut the deficit to 3 goals. Rutgers would continue its scoring run with 2 goals from Dixon in approximately 3 minutes. Spilis leveled the game with 2:40 remaining via a free-position goal. In the final minutes of regulation, neither time was able to score a game-winning goal.
Dixon netted the game-winner in overtime on the road to a 4-goal, 5-point performance. After the game, she spoke on what inspired the late comeback.
"We just never stopped believing in ourselves," Dixon said. "You felt the belief in every single one of us, and it showed on both the offensive and defensive side of the field."
Senior defender Meghan Ball led the backline with five caused turnovers and five draw controls.
The Knights will look to continue their winning streak when they take on No. 4 James Madison at SHI Stadium on Busch campus this Sunday. Face-off is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the game will be broadcasted on Big Ten Network+ and 88.7 WRSU-FM.
"We found a way to pull out this game," said head coach Melissa Lehman. "It was all Rutgers in that last quarter. I felt like we kept getting a lot of possessions, and the attack played with so much confidence down the stretch, which is what we were looking for all game."
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