STORRS, Conn. – Three goals in the final 1:57 of regulation saw Fairfield University women's lacrosse battle to force overtime at UConn Wednesday afternoon, but the Stags we're outlasted in the extra frame by a final of 18-17.
The two teams combined to reach the back of the net 35 times over the course of today's contest, with six different Fairfield players making their way onto the scoresheet. Libby Rowe led the way for the visitors with a career-high six goal performance, including four in the second half. Olivia Doody registered five points on the day as she netted four goals and dished out one of three assists on the afternoon. Making up the rest of the scoring was Elizabeth Talluto who finished with a hat trick, followed by two scores from Rylee Harrell and a single goal from both Haley Burns and Grace Slater.
On the defensive side of the ball, Keyla Bay notched a team-high three ground balls in addition to both a caused turnover and draw control, with eight different players contributed to the 12 total ground balls by the Stags. Corralling a total of 21 draw controls on the afternoon, Harrell paced the team with nine controls, followed by Rowe, Burns, and Caroline Mangan who each had three, and a trio of other players with one apiece.
Three Stags also combined to lead the caused turnovers, included Mangan and both Lindsey Barnes and Julia Rigolizzo with two each, and Rigolizzo also added a single assist offensively. In the cage, Casey Collins got the nod in the starting lineup once again, making three saves before Phoebe Proctor came on in relief for the final 40 minutes including the extra period, making six stops.
Talluto opened the scoring less than 90 seconds into play and would be followed by a goal from Harrell less than a minute later to double the Stags advantage. From there, the Huskies and Stags would trade the next seven goals one-for-one to carry through the first quarter with Fairfield up by a goal.
Including a goal to end the opening frame, UConn would go on a five-goal run in the second quarter to take an 8-5 lead early on. Doodt would tack on her first of the day just inside of 10 minutes to go in the period, followed by back to back scores from the home side to extend the deficit to four. Rowe would add one back for the Stags just over a minute later, but UConn would answer with one more before the break to take an 11-7 advantage into halftime.
The third quarter saw Fairfield break out with three of the first four goals to cut into the Huskies' lead, but back to back scores from the home side reextended the lead to four. Slater would net the first goal of her collegiate career with 2:22 to go in the third, less than thirty seconds before Rowe scored to make it 14-12 going into the fourth quarter.
Entering the final stanza, UConn netted back-to-back scores once again, before the Stags did the same scored at 5:08, and again with 3:49 to go, before yet another answer by the hosts. With less than two minutes to play, Doody would net her fourth of the contest, and Burns followed that up 34 seconds later to bring Fairfield within one.
Rowe's career-best would be set when the Stags needed it most as she found empty netting with just 25 seconds to play in regulation to send the game into overtime tied at 17. UConn would win the opening draw and score on the opening possession to win the game, their first of the campaign after being ranked 24th in the nation heading into the year.
Fairfield women's lacrosse returns to action Saturday, Feb. 18 when they make their way back down to Fairfield County to host Wagner. Opening draw from Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. with live coverage available on ESPN+.
