INDIANA, Pa. – Junior
Leah Hunter scored with :02 left in the first sudden death overtime period to give IUP women's lacrosse a 12-11 comeback victory over visiting Lock Haven Saturday at Miller Stadium.
The game-winner was the second dramatic IUP in a matter of minutes, as freshman
Chantal Jimenez tied the game at 11-11 with 21 seconds left in regulation.
The Crimson Hawks got back to .500 with the win and are now 2-2 overall, including a 2-1 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Lock Haven is now 1-1 and 1-1.
Who stood out
>> Senior
Kayte Zeiler scored a career-high six goals, including four in the second half and three in the span of 3:37. She also had one assist, a team-high five ground balls, two draw controls and a caused turnover.
>> Junior
Katie Hibinger scored three goals and caused three turnovers.
>> Freshman
Chantal Jimenez had seven draw controls, three ground balls, caused two turnovers, and scored the game-tying goal with :21 left.
>> Freshman
Sarah Reustle had seven draw controls, four ground balls, and caused two turnovers.
How it happened
The game was close throughout the first half, until Lock Haven reeled off three goals over the last two minutes to take a 6-2 lead at the break.
The Crimson Hawks opened the second half with five straight goals in the first 15 minutes to take a 7-6 lead, with Zeiler scoring three straight. The Bald Eagles then answered with three straight goals of their own to take a 10-8 lead.
Goals by Hibinger and Zeiler tied the game with six minutes to go and Lock Haven went back up 11-10 with 3:46 left.
LHU controlled the ball with under a minute to play when freshman
Rylee Wilson forced a turnover in her defensive end. IUP quickly cleared it and Jimenez, working off the right wing, charged the net and scored with 21 seconds left to tie the game.
In overtime, after each team had multiple looks and with time running down, Hunter whipped a shot past the LHU goalie while falling to the ground for the dramatic victory.
Up next
After a four-game home stand to open the season, the Crimson Hawks are on the road for the first time when they travel to Erie to face Gannon Tuesday afternoon.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP women's lacrosse program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPlacrosse and online at IUPAthletics.com.
