CINCINNATI, OHIO – The Trine University women's lacrosse team came up just short of host Mount St. Joseph University, falling in overtime by the score of 17-16.
The two teams were evenly matched throughout the entire game, trading goals throughout and ending each half in with a tie score.
The Thunder scored first in the contest when freshman Kristen Nguyen (Locust Grove, Ga. / Luella) came away with her second goal of the season in the fourth minute of play to give Trine the early 1-0 lead. The teams would trade goals throughout the rest of the half, ending it tied at seven goals apiece.
The Lions struck first in the second half, scoring just 40 seconds into the period to take the lead. Trine responded and the teams continued to trade goals leading to a tie game with eight and a half minutes remaining in the contest, 15-15.
Both defenses buckled down and for the next seven minutes neither could find the back of the net. Finally with just a 1:33 left in the game, senior Samantha Ihrie (Kendallville, Ind. / East Noble) put the Thunder up with her third goal of the night.
It looked like the goal would be the game winner for Trine, but with just seconds remaining in regulation Mt. St. Joseph tied the game once again and the teams headed to overtime. The Lions held on to the momentum and wasted no time putting the game away just 20 seconds into extra time to take the victory 17-16.
Senior Rebecca Plantz (DeWitt, Mich. / DeWitt) once again led the way for the Thunder coming away with six goals and two assists in the contest. Freshman Kristin John (South Bend, Ind. / St. Joe's) was right behind her with five goals and two assists of her own. Ihrie ended the game with three goals and four assists.
Trine will take the field again Saturday, March 31, when they begin MIAA conference play by traveling to face Albion College with the game scheduled to start at 1 p.m.