April 14, 2012

Box Score

ALLENDALE, Mich. - The Grand Valley State women's lacrosse team scored three goals in overtime to pick up its first-ever extra-period win over visiting Notre Dame College, 22-20 on Saturday night at the Laker Lacrosse Field.

GVSU improves to 8-6 on the season as it played its final home game of 2012.  The Lakers now take to the road for a rematch with Lindenwood on Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. 

The Lakers were led by junior captain Allyson Fritts (Howell, Mich.) who had six goals and two assists in the program's first-ever overtime victory.Freshman Victoria Devine (Centereach, N.Y.) netted four goals and added two helpers on the night.  Six other players tallied two goals.

With the game tied at 19-19, GVSU took the lead with back-to-back goals from Devine and freshman Jordan Luberto (Okemos, Mich.).  It was all the Lakers would need as freshman keeper Audrey Kobe (New Hudson, Mich.) only allowed one goal in the extra time and made a huge save on a free-position shot by Katrina Johnson. Fritts sent home the final tally of the game with 40 seconds left in the overtime period for the win.

In the opening 10 minutes of the game, neither team was able to find a rhythm as the score was tied 4-4 at 18:37, but a 4-1 run by the Falcons pushed their lead to 8-5 with just over 11 minutes to play.

The Lakers responded with three straight goals, including back-to-back nets from Fritts to tie the score at 8-8. Notre Dame scored one more goal before GVSU went on a 4-1 run to end the opening half to take a 12-10 lead into halftime.

Notre Dame opened the second half with an 7-1 run to hold a 17-13 lead at 14:41.  GVSU then responded with a 9-3 run to end the half and tie the game for the final time at 19-19. During the stretch, freshman Rachel Leibovtiz (Naperville, Ill.) and Korinne Culley (Hilliard, Ohio) scored both of their two goals.

For the game, GVSU held a 40-35 edge in shots, including going 6-for-10 in free-position shots.  Notre Dame owned a 26-20 advantage in draw controls, while holding a slight edge in ground balls 27-26. GVSU caused 10 of the Falcons' 22 turnovers, while committing 18 of its own.

Kobe tallied 10 saves in the win, including two in the overtime period.  Notre Dame started keeper Kelsey Harvey who tallied three saves and brought in Amanda Matusik in the back-up position in the second half.  Matusik earned the loss with three saves.

GVSU celebrated seniors Sam Szegedi and Trisha Blake in its first-ever senior class before the game.