College of Saint Elizabeth Edges Women’s Lacrosse 18-17 in Overtime

SOMERSET, N.J. – Elms College sophomore attacker Nora McDonough (South Hadley, Mass.) netted a team-high six goals, but the College of Saint Elizabeth used a nine-goal effort from Meghan Murray (Knowlton, N.J.) who scored what stood as the game-winner with 51 seconds remaining in overtime to help lift the Screaming Eagles to a thrilling 18-17 victory in Thursday evening's non-conference women's lacrosse game.

With the loss, Elms moves to 1-2 on the season, while Saint Elizabeth improves to 1-0 overall.

In a game that featured back-and-forth offense, Elms held a 9-8 advantage after 30 minutes of play and the Screaming Eagles won the second half by the same 9-8 margin.

The Blazers received four first-half tallies from senior attacker Chelsey Grabowski (South Hadley, Mass.) who finished with five goals in the game, and four scores from McDonough. Saint Elizabeth's first-half output was highlighted by three goals from Murray and five from Cassidy Crane (Byram, N.J.).

In the second stanza Elms' freshman attacker Ashley Cava (Wilbraham, Mass.) and McDonough struck for two goals each and Elms held a 17-15 advantage with less than five minutes to play in regulation but the Screaming Eagles' Christine Rios (Manalapan, N.J.) and Murray found nylon to tie the game at 17-17 and force an extra six minute period.

In overtime, Cava had a chance to give the Blazers the lead just 22 seconds in but her shot hit the post keeping the score level at 17-17. With 2:27 remaining in the period, Murray had a chance to Saint Elizabeth the lead but Elms' sophomore goalkeeper Alysha Parsons (Newington, Conn.) made her 13^th save of the contest to keep it deadlocked before Murray finally broke through with 51 seconds left to seal the victory for the Screaming Eagles.

Barbara Beresova (Point Pleasant, N.J.) made nine saves for Saint Elizabeth in the winning effort, while Rios led all players with eight groundball pickups.

Elms' junior midfielder Brianna Lyons (Canton, Mass.) picked up seven groundballs and caused four turnovers, while Grabowski won six draws.

The Blazers are back to non-league play on Saturday, March 16 with a 2:00 p.m. game at Bard College.