February 29, 2008

Boxscore

LAURINBURG, N.C.—Junior Annie Harris (McLean, Va.) scored just 24 seconds into the first “sudden-victory” period to lift visiting Rollins University to a 18-17 non-conference women’s lacrosse victory over host St. Andrews Presbyterian College on Friday afternoon at Knights Field.

Freshman Courtney Bianculli (Setauket, N.Y.) scored eight goals to lead the Tars to their first ever win against an NCAA Division II opponent. Rollins evens its overall record at 2-2.

Sophomore Kerrie Brown (Irondequoit, N.Y.) matched Bianculli with eight goals for the Lady Knights including the game-tying goal with 2.8 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Brown’s eight goals tied the St. Andrews single-game scoring record of eight goals in a game held by junior teammate Kelsey Binggeli (Newark, N.Y.).

Binggeli scored just one minute and 39 seconds into the game to give the Knights, who fell to 2-3 overall, an early lead. However, four straight goals by Rollins gave the visitors the lead for the rest of regulation until Brown tied the game up in the final seconds. Bianculli scored on two consecutive free-position shots to catapult the Tars into the lead and unassisted goals by freshman Lacy Goodwyn (Bethesda, Md.) and Harris extended Rollins lead to 4-1.

The two teams alternated the next six goals before St. Andrews rattled off two goals in 35 seconds to pull within one, 7-6, late in the first half. Brown and Binggeli netted the two Knights goal in the quick surge. However, freshman Kate Pray (Rehobeth, Mass.) scored on a free-position shot with 13 seconds left to give Rollins a two-goal lead, 8-6, at halftime.

Binggeli, who scored all three of her goals in the first half, became the all-time leading scorer in the St. Andrews women’s lacrosse five-year history increasing her career total to 99 goals. Binggeli passed the school record of 97 goals by former Knight Corey Whitbeck with her hat trick and is only one goal away from become the first 100-goal scorer at SAPC.

The Tars regained pulled out to a four-goal advantage with the first two goals of the second half by freshmen Liz Connelly (Longwood, Fla.) and Liz Scully (Middleburg, Va.). Rollins continued to lead 12-8 before St. Andrews posted three straight goals to pull back to within one (12-11).

Bianculli and freshman Katy Tyszko (Clermont, Fla.) netted two late goals to give the Tars a seemingly comfortable 15-12 lead with five minutes left. The Knights continued to trail by three heading into the final two minutes before St. Andrews scored three improbable goals to send the contest into overtime. Freshman Alexis Goldman (Winter Springs, Fla.) scored the first two goals in just 12 seconds to inch the Knights to within one heading into the final minute. After a huge save by junior goalkeeper Eryn McCaffrey (Cicero, N.Y.), St. Andrews gained possession and Brown raced in as the clock was counting down and riffled in the game-tying goal with 2.8 seconds showing on the scoreboard.

In the first overtime, Bianculli once again gave the Tars the lead with another goal. In women’s lacrosse the first six minutes of overtime must be played out even if a goal is scored. St. Andrews took advantage and scored back-to-back goals to take only their second lead of the game, 17-16, heading into the final three minutes of OT. Brown knotted the score with her eighth goal of the game while Goldman put the Knights on top with her fourth score of the day. Both Brown’s and Goldman’s goals came on free-position opportunities. Rollins remained poised and Bianculli’s eighth goal tied the game for the fourth time.

The marathon game then went into a “sudden-victory” period where the next goal scored would end the game. St. Andrews looked to gain possession of the initial draw control but was called for a turnover giving the ball to Rollins. Pray quickly went in and took a good-looking shot for the Tars but McCaffrey made another save. However, the rebound went straight to Harris, who picked up the loose ball and deposited the “Golden Goal” to end the game just 24 seconds into the final period.

Junior goalkeeper Lisa Weber (Winter Springs, Fla.) made four of her 10 saves in overtime helping Rollins win. McCaffrey finished with a game-high 16 stops.

The Tars held a slim 40-32 shot advantage while both teams scored seven free-position goals. SAPC held an 18-13 ground ball edge and 21-18 draw control advantage.

Brown scored her eight goals on nine shots while Goldman finished with four goals and the Knights only assist. Freshman Kim McDaniel (Joppa, Md.) had St. Andrews other two goals in the second half.

Biannculli had a game-high nine point performance with eight goals and one assist. Goodwyn had a hat trick while Harris and Pray scored twice. Goodwyn and Harris each had one helper.

Both teams next play Gannon University. Rollins takes the first shot at the Golden Knights on Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. (at neutral St. Andrews) while the Knights host Gannon on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.