READING, Pa. - The Neumann University women's lacrosse team won its third consecutive contest on Thursday afternoon, taking down host Alvernia University in overtime by a score of 15-14 in non-conference action.
Brittany Cassidy was the offensive force in the win for Neumann, recording five goals and an assist for six points on the day.
Kaitlyn Conrad also added five points (3 g, 2 a) while
Brylin Adams,
Reilly Fiedler and
Courtney Petrucelli each tallied twice.
Catriona Corrigan continued her stellar play in goal with 12 saves.
Things did not start well for the Knights on the afternoon, as Alvernia took the play to the visitors early. The Golden Wolves scored the game's first five goals to jump out to a commanding 5-0 lead and put the Knights into a big hole. Undaunted by the early deficit though, the Knights charged their way back into the game with four unanswered goals to get the score back to 5-4. Four different Knights scored in the run including Cassidy, Petrucelli, Fiedler and
Ally Bee. Alvernia answered back with a goal to make it 6-4 at the 6:32 mark, but again Neumann responded. The Knights went on another 4-0 run to end the first frame, led by three more tallies from Cassidy to take an 8-6 lead into the halftime break.
The Knights continued to roll early in the second half with two early goals from Petrucelli and Adams to make it 10-6, but Alvernia retaliated with four of the next five goals in the half to knot the contest at 11-11. The remainder of the matchup would be a back and forth battle. Fiedler and Cassidy each scored to make it 13-11 in favor of Neumann, but again the Golden Wolves has an answer, scoring three consecutive goals of their own to take a 14-13 lead late in the contest. Needing a goal to send the game to overtime, the Knights looked no further than their leading scorer in Conrad. The senior attacker ripped home an equalizer with just over two minutes left to play in the game to force the extra session.
Alvernia had the best early chance in overtime, recording a free position attempt in the first minute of play, but excellent defense from the Knights kept them off the board. Just seconds later, Neumann then answered with the game-winner via Adams second goal of the day. The freshman found the back of the net at the 1:50 mark to send the visitors home with the thrilling 15-14 victory.
Neumann (4-1) will have just two days to prepare for its next contest on Saturday, March 16th versus Elizabethtown College. Game-time is scheduled for 12:00 PM.
