Cincinnati, Ohio - On Sunday April 23rd, your Mount St. Joseph Women's lacrosse team played host to the Hanover Panthers for their final home game of their 2023 season. It was an evenly played match throughout the entirety of the game as both teams would be tied at 10 after four periods. Unfortunately for the Lions, they would fall just short as Hanover would win the match in double overtime. Senior Sarah Murray would be fantastic in her final game at Schueler Field as she scored 6 goals.
In the first, Sarah Murray, as she's done all season, would take the draw control for the Mount. Following the win and three Hanover fouls in the first 30 seconds, Murray would take it from the midline and find the back of the net to get the Lions on the board first. That would be the only goal for the Mount in the first 15 minutes but the Lions defense was spectacular. Although Hanover was able to push across a couple of goals, the defense caused 7 turnovers and forced 4 wide shots along with goalie Laura Schmidl saving a shot in the final possession of the quarter.
Entering period number two, the Lions trialed 2-1. Just like in the first, Murray was able to win the opening draw control and tie the game up with her second goal of the day. Following a Man-up goal for the Panthers, the Lions quickly fought back with an equalizer goal by Murray as she earned a Hat-Trick for the first half. As the defenses on both sides would stiffen, Hanover jumped back into the lead with 8 minutes left to play in the half. Lions Abigail Cole would end the drought for the Lions as she scored off a Lions save and successful clear attempt for her 6th goal of the season. In the final four minutes, the Lions would end the half on a 2-1 run as goals from Chirly Gillman and Cole, which was assisted by Gillman, put the Lions ahead 6-5 with only seconds left on the clock.
In the second half, both teams used their offensive halftime adjustments to find a goal in the first 60 seconds. Hanover would strike first as they would take the opening draw control and find the back of the net to tie the game at 6 a piece. Likewise, Sarah Murray would win the following draw control and also take it herself all the way down the field to score the go ahead goal. After the goal, the Lions caused 2 straight turnovers and a saved shot on the Panthers next three possessions as the Lions earned a Man-Up opportunity after a Hanover player received a Yellow Card. Abigail Cole was then set and ready to take the free position attempt as she executed to perfection earning her third goal of the game and putting the Lions ahead 8-6. Hanover would not go away as they once again answered a Lions attack with one of their own cutting the lead to one. Like Cole, Sarah Murray was in position to take advantage of a Man-Up opportunity sitting with a free position attempt. Murray would take two steps and score in the top left corner of the net adding insurance to their lead. The two teams would trade a pair of goals to end the period as the Lions led 10-8 heading into the final 15 minutes.
In the final 15 minutes of play, the Lions defense fought hard trying to hold the lead. The score would remain the same throughout the first 6 minutes of the quarter before Hanover was able to strike first and cut the lead to one. With the clock running down, Hanover was able to score their 10th goal on the contest to tie the game up and force the Lions first overtime match of the season. In overtime, the Lions were unable to connect on their shot in the first 3 three minutes as the two teams were forced to play a second 3 minute overtime to decide a winner. Following a face off win for the Lions, they were called for a moving screen which turned the possession over to the Panthers. Hanover would create an opportunity and score the game winning goal as they Lions would fall 10-11.
Sarah Murray played a key role for the Lions scoring 6 goals, scooping up 4 ground balls and causing 3 turnovers. Freshman Abigail Cole continued to build upon her impressive 1st season with a 3 goal day and 2 ground balls. Goalie Laura Schmidl would save 15 goals in the afternoon and play a pivotal role in getting the ball out quickly in clear attempt opportunities.
The Lions next contest will take place at Transylvania University as they take on the Pioneers on Monday April 24th. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM.
