Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Maggie Amorello scored what seemed to be an insurance goal but turned into the eventual game-winning goal to lead Wittenberg over Allegheny 12-11 in North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) women’s lacrosse action on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers (7-1, 1-0 NCAC) continue their best start in program history to open up the NCAC season with the come-back victory. Jenn Close led Wittenberg with three goals and one assist for four points. Amorello finished with a hat trick and netminder Jenna Schaafsma made 14 saves in the win.
Kiah Voyer-Colbath and Meg Grossman scored four goals each for the Gators (3-5, 1-2 NCAC), who dropped their second conference game in as many games.
Playing in winds that gusted up to 50 miles per hour, Allegheny did not let mother nature affect them to build a 6-4 lead at halftime. Grossman sandwiched two goals between one by Voyer-Colbath to take a 3-2 lead in the eighth minute. Joelle Ghanem scored off a feed from Close to knot the game at 3-all.
The Gators tallied the next three goals, leaving 10 minutes to play in the first half with a 6-3 advantage. Ghanem returned the favor for Close to make it a two-goal game by halftime.
Wittenberg adjusted to the wind and rain to start the comeback in the second half. The Tigers outscored Allegheny 8-5 in the final stanza, posting two goals in the final 2:35 for their first conference victory. With Allegheny holding an 8-6 lead with 21:03 left to play, Wittenberg scored four unanswered goals to take its second lead of the game.
Paterson and Voyer-Colbath each netted a goal to tie the game for the third time, but Krissy Battles forced an Allegheny turnover behind the Gators' goal and took the ensuing possession and scored an unassisted goal. Just over a minute later, Amorello added a much-needed insurance goal, setting up a frantic final 68 seconds.
Allegheny won a scramble off the next draw control and stormed down the field for a quick score to pull within one. The Gators won the next draw as well, but the Tiger defense stiffened, allowing several scoring chances but no clean shot attempts before the horn sounded.
Allegheny returns to action on Wednesday against Washington & Jefferson. Game time is 7 p.m.