Utica's Late Rally Comes Up Short in Overtime
UTICA, NY – Senior
Megan Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) of the Utica College women's lacrosse team netted two goals in the final 1:28 of regulation to send the contest into overtime, but visiting Oswego State buried two goals in extra time to earn an 8-6 victory in the season opener for both squads, on a snowy day at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Utica (0-1) has lost two straight season openers to Oswego (1-0).
Megan Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) led the Pioneers with two goals and one assist, while sophomore
Rebecca Plunkett (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park) added two goals of her own. The Lakers were led by two goals each from Mackenzie Kjerstad, Esther Gabriel and Gemma O'Kane. Angela Ponto also had a strong day in goal for the visitors stopping eight shots and adding a team-best six ground balls.
Both teams exchanged blows in the first half and the score was tied at 2-2 after 30 minutes of action. Gabriel and O'Kane each tallied a first half goal for the Lakers, while Plunkett and senior
Morgan DuPont (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) each posted a goal for the Pioneers.
Oswego came out hot in the second half, netting three goals in the first 13:33 of action to take a 5-2 lead. Utica's
Tewasherake Barnes (Akwesasne, NY/Salmon River) started the late Pioneer charge with her first collegiate goal off an assist from freshman
Brooke Miller (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy), to make the score 5-3 with 12:20 to go in regulation.
Oswego answered back and took a 6-3 advantage after Lindsey Eggers scored her first goal of the year with 9:16 remaining on the second half clock.
Utica dominated the final seven minutes of regulation and the late charge began with Plunkett's second goal of the contest on a break away at the 6:54 ledger. Trailing by two goals late, Utica's
Megan Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) took over, netting two goals in a span of 1:11 to send the contest into overtime.
Courtney Wheeler (Ava, NY/Rome Free Academy) assisted on Kane's first goal to make the score 6-5. Kane then added the equalizer with just 17 seconds left on the clock to send the game into OT.
In extra time Oswego received a goal at 5:08 from Kjerstad and the Lakers sealed the victory with 31 seconds left when Briana Kimble connected with Erannan Shattuck to close out the scoring on the afternoon.
Utica's
Patricia Kane (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) caused a team-high four turnovers, scooped up four ground balls and added two draw controls, while her sister Megan chipped in with three points, six draw controls and a game-high seven ground balls.
Briana Estabrook (Tully, NY/Tully ) added five ground balls for the Pioneers.
UC's
Erin Jacobson (Staten Island, NY/Curtis) started in goal for the Pioneers and made six saves before being relieved by
Kells Casey (Sandwich, MA/Kimball Union Academy) midway through the second half.
Kjerstad totaled four ground balls and a team-high four caused turnovers for the Lakers.
Utica outshot Oswego 21-18 and also earned a 32-29 advantage in the ground ball game.
The Pioneers return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Clarkson University to take on the Golden Knights at 4 p.m