Thanks to a game-tying goal from sophomore Madisyn Kittell and game winner from senior Shayna Pirreca, No. 6 Florida surged past unranked Loyola 17-16 in overtime.

"I'm very pleased with the way we executed in the second half today,” Florida coach Amanda O’Leary said. “We were able to go into the locker room at halftime and make some much-needed adjustments. I think it says a lot about this team that they never stopped competing for the second game in a row.”

The back-and-forth battle saw eight ties, three of which came ahead of an 8-7 halftime in favor of the Greyhounds.

Down by four just four minutes after the break, the Gators didn’t secure a lead until the 12:09 mark in the second period on freshman Grace Haus’s man-up tally.

Loyola senior Frankie Kamely knotted it at 13 before freshman Shannon Kavanagh took Florida up one minute later.

Over the next five minutes, the Greyhounds went on a three-goal run to take a two-goal lead at the 2:27 mark with tallies from junior Hannah Powers and freshmen Sam Fiedler and Livy Rosenzweig, the latter who finished with a game-high 10 draw controls.

Gators junior Lindsey Ronbeck brought the score within one on a free position goal with under two minutes remaining in regulation, before a controversial offsides call added fuel to Florida’s fire.

After the Greyhounds called a timeout with 1:33 on the clock, Kittell caused back-to-back Loyola turnovers, scooped up the ground ball, rounded the back of the net and caught the opposing goalie out of position for the game-tying goal at the 1:12 mark.

Freshman Sabrina Cristodero, who led the Gators with eight draw controls, snagged the opening draw in extra time, which led to a game-winning tally from Shayna Pirreca.

Ronbeck had a team-best five points on four goals and one assist, while Kavanagh also recorded four goals.

Kamely, Powers and Rosenzweig led Loyola with four points apiece.

MADISYN. KITTELL.

Here’s the scoop and score by @MadisynKitell that took us to overtime! #FLax #GoGators pic.twitter.com/svGZfo9bbr

— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) February 25, 2018

Overtime + @ShaynaPirreca = #GatorsWin! #FLax #PirrecaPower pic.twitter.com/zrI9vPUJtl

— Gators Lacrosse (@GatorsLAX) February 25, 2018

 

Lasota Sparks Second Half Surge in Northwestern’s Win Over USC

Rebounding from its one-goal loss to Duke, No. 15 Northwestern started its tough six-game homestand with a 9-5 upset victory over No. 8 USC.

Wildcats senior Danita Stroup opened the scoring eight minutes into the game before USC sophomore Kerrigan Miller responded on a free position tally seven minutes later.

Northwestern then secured a three-goal lead thanks to juniors Holly Korn and Kim Harker and senior Shelby Fredericks, but the Trojans used a four-goal run spanning both halves to take their first and only lead at the 14:50 mark in the second period.

With under 14 minutes to play, junior Selena Lasota led the Wildcats to the finish line, sparking a five-goal run during which she tallied a hat trick and Stroup, who had a team-high four points, scored twice.

With her three goals, Lasota moved past USC coach and former Wildcat Lindsey Munday for 10th in program history with 142 career goals.

Protected our turf versus a top-10 foe.

Today is a good day. #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/EaBc0oYPiQ

— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) February 25, 2018

Dominant Second Half Pushes Notre Dame Past Elon

Down by four at halftime, No. 16 Notre Dame avoided an upset with an 8-2 second half for a 9-11 victory over unranked Elon.

“A lot of credit goes to Elon for how they came out,” Irish coach Christine Halfpenny said. “They started the game blazing and really took it to us. Have to give them credit but look at what we just did. I am really, really proud at how they responded to the adversity, dug their heels in and got back to what they do, which is huge.”

The Irish opened the second half with five straight goals, two each from Diana Kelly and Sydney Cardozo, plus two assists from Maddie Howe, for their first lead of the game.

It took Elon 10 minutes to respond, but Notre Dame was quick to score again just 30 seconds after the Phoenix tally. The Irish outscored Elon 3-1 in the final nine minutes.

Howe had a team-high four points on four assists, while Jessi Masinko tallied three points on two goals and one assist. Molly Cobb added two goals and Nikki Ortega had two helpers.

Elon was led by Maeve Cowley’s hat trick.

Full highlights from the Irish 11-9 come from behind win over Elon!! #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/kHW6aPp0GX

— Notre Dame W Lax (@NDWomensLax) February 25, 2018

Navy Escapes Michigan

Trailing by two at halftime and by four with 17:45 remaining in the game, No. 7 Navy used a second half comeback to eke past unranked Michigan 11-10.

The Midshipmen led 8-3 in the final 17:25, sparked by three points from Kelly Larkin. Jenna Collins, Kayla Harris and Larkin had two goals each in that span.

“Give credit to Michigan,” Navy coach Cindy Timchal said. “We struggled a bit offensively. We knew at halftime that we were going to have to keep grinding and fighting because Michigan was giving us everything they’ve got.”

Navy dominated the draw 18-6 and won the ground ball battle 27-23. Larkin finished with a team-best five points, while Jenna Collins had a hat trick.

Michigan saw three goals each from Maggie Kane and Adriana Pendino.

Thoughts from Coach Nielsen after a really gritty performance. #goblue pic.twitter.com/B8Bn0yJgNU

— Michigan Women’s Lacrosse (@UMichWLAX) February 25, 2018

Nike/US Lacrosse
Division I Top 20 Scoreboard

No. 2 Stony Brook 16, Denver 3
No. 6 Florida 17, Loyola 16 (OT)
No. 7 Navy 11, Michigan 10
No. 15 Northwestern 9, No. 8 USC 5
No. 16 Notre Dame 11, Elon 9
No. 20 Colorado 17, San Diego State 12

What a spin move! @c_murffff is ! Murphy currently has 6 goals as @StonyBrookWLAX leads Denver 16-3. #NCAAWLAX pic.twitter.com/kpv0iUuFCa

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) February 25, 2018

Other Scores

Detroit Mercy 16, American 8
Duquesne 18, Central Michigan 6
Harvard 21, UC Davis 14
Liberty 14, Robert Morris 9
Marquette 22, Stetson 12
Niagara 17, Duquesne 14
Temple 18, Lafayette 15
William & Mary 12, Davidson 9

Division II

Florida Tech Dominates Queens

Holding No. 12 Queens to just four goals in each half, No. 6 Florida Tech advances to 3-0 on the season with a 17-8 victory Sunday. The Panthers have outscored its first three opponents 57-29.

Florida Tech got off to a hot start against Queens with four straight goals in the opening 10 minutes.

The Royals scored the final goal of the first half with just nine seconds on the clock, but the Panthers continued to roll with two three-goal runs in the second period to secure the victory.

Caroline Dunleavy led Florida Tech with eight points on six goals and two assists.