As seasons wind down, and the battle for postseason play and position heats up, the importance of every game continues to increase. It was that heightened importance and intensity that drove the DePauw women’s lacrosse to a double overtime victory against conference foe Allegheny.
Due in part to the travel and part to the rainy conditions, the Tigers came out of the gate sluggish, falling behind 6-1 midway through the first half. With the score at 8-4 in favor of Allegheny College at the half, the team knew that they had to come out firing in the second half. First-year Sarah Ramsey was surprised with how the game started, but was pleased with the team’s response.
“It was a battle the whole game, they were very physical which took us by surprise at first, but we fought back after the half and were able to get the W,” Ramsey said.
In the second half, the Tigers clawed their way back and tied the game at 10-10. After that it seemed all the momentum was in DePauw’s favor as they scored three more unanswered goals, capped off by Ellie Strauch’s free position goal with 6:01 left in regulation, to go up 13-10. With their lead at 13-10 the Tiger’s just had to see out the game.
Unfortunately, Allegheny fought back and scored three straight goals of their own, with two coming inside the final minute and a half of regulation. Tied at 13 apiece, the teams continued their battling into overtime. The first overtime was hard fought but ended in a scoreless stalemate. The Tigers knew they would have to capitalize in the second overtime period to avoid going home with a loss.
Part way through the second overtime, senior Emily Scinta delivered a pass to junior Emma Flynn who scored, giving DePauw the 14-13 sudden death victory in overtime. After the game Scinta was pleased with the way the team played in the second half.
“It took us a little while to get going, but in the second half we showed what kind of team we really are. We played fast pace with our heads on our shoulders and finished strong,” Scinta said.
Goal-scorer Emma Flynn’s sister is also on the team, first-year Kate Flynn was ecstatic with the result.
“We never stopped fighting through the rain and played like a team. Shout out to my big sister for getting the game winner,” Flynn said.
The game was even statistically, with Allegheny leading in shots and ground balls, but DePauw winning the draw controls and converting on 5 out of 9 free position shots.
Up next for DePauw is a trip to the College of Wooster this Saturday as the Tigers look to continue their winning ways and continue climbing up the conference leaderboard.