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Knights women endure overtime and weather for lacrosse victory over Utica

Posted 3/16/13

Potsdam, NY - An 80-minute delay, a snowstorm, and triple overtime caused a more than three-hour game for the Clarkson University Women's Lacrosse team, and the Golden Knights were able to send the …

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Knights women endure overtime and weather for lacrosse victory over Utica

Posted

Potsdam, NY - An 80-minute delay, a snowstorm, and triple overtime caused a more than three-hour game for the Clarkson University Women's Lacrosse team, and the Golden Knights were able to send the weary home happy with a 12-11 sudden-death victory over Utica College Friday evening at Hantz Turf Field.

The Golden Knights improved to 2-0 on the season while Utica fell to 4-1. Clarkson will face Keuka College in what it can only hope will be more hospitable conditions.

The first half began with cold weather and minor flurries, but that quickly changed into an all out snowstorm with large flakes blowing sideways. For the final 10 minutes of the half, it was difficult for either team to see the ball particularly well, causing an extended delay that required the turf to be plowed once the weather subsided. When the two teams returned, the narrow difference between them continued to be evident. Utica scored the first goal of the second half to edge out to a 7-5 lead, but the Knights scored four straight and held a 9-7 lead with 6:30 remaining in the game. Utica pulled back to within one a minute later and then was able to force overtime with a goal at the 1:52 mark.

Utica scored the first two goals of the overtime frames and looked ready to clinch the victory, but seniors Katie VanDeValk (Baldwinsville, NY) and Alyssa Cristaldi (North Syracuse, NY) scored in the final 90 seconds to knot the game up once again. In the sudden-death extra session, both teams had their chances, but it was Clarkson that would convert the game-winner. After a stick check from Morgan McGowan (Stony Point, NY) caused a turnover and allowed relief goaltender Stephanie Lynch (Baldwinsville, NY) to gather in a groundball, the Golden Knights converted the clear, and just 30 seconds later freshman Christine Wright (Watertown, NY) finally put an end to the contest, scoring on a shot coming across the middle with 1:28 remaining in the third overtime.

VanDeValk had five goals and an assist to lead Clarkson, while Cristaldi kicked in four goals. Wright also had a pair of scores and four assists, and Marissa Mastronardi (Cortland, NY) scored one goal.

For Utica, Megan Kane had four goals and both Courtney Wheeler and Morgan DuPont each scored three times. Samantha Gebler also added a goal and two assists.

Utica held a 26-25 edge in shots and also had 21 groundballs to Clarkson's 16. Kara DiNatale (Auburn, NH) made 10 saves for Clarkson, but Lynch earned the victory in overtime. For Utica, Stephanie Belanger made nine stops.