Lakkosky scored five goals and added one assist
QUINCY, Ill. – After completing a dramatic comeback, the NMU lacrosse team suffered its first loss of the season, a heartbreaking 14-13 defeat in overtime.
The teams played in frigid weather conditions, with temperatures in the low thirties, rain, and winds in the 20s with gusts up to 40 mph. NMU relinquished the lead at the start of the third quarter, marking the first time the Wildcats faced a deficit this season.
The Wildcats (3-1, 0-0 GLIAC) were down by three goals with just under five minutes to go before firing home three straight, including the game-tying goal with under a minute to play to force overtime. The Hawks (3-2, 0-0 GLVC) scored its second-most goals in a game, led by a five-goal performance from Anni Moran, who scored the overtime game winner.
Josie Lakosky led the attack with five goals and an assist, her fifth career game with five or more goals and fifth career game with six or more points.
Taylor Priestley scored the game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation, completing her third-career hat-trick (first since 4/2/23 at Davenport) and second-career four+ point game.
Zoe Montgomery made eight saves from 16 shots on target, a career-high single-game saves total. Lauren Esposito made two saves from eight shots on target.
The ‘Cats scored six free position goals on eight attempts, the second-most free position goals in a single game this season. The Hawks held a 16-15 ground ball advantage, four fewer turnovers at 17-13, and posted four more caused turnovers with 10 to the Wildcats’ six.
The Wildcats continue its spring break trip with another game on Friday, squaring off against Missouri Western on Friday, March 7, from the Quincy Lacrosse Stadium.
How It Happened
The Wildcats scored the first three goals of the game, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the opening five minutes of the game with goals from Sisson, Lakosky, and Bast. In an inverse to the opening, the Hawks scored a trio of goals in the final five minutes to tie the game at three’s after fifteen minutes of play. Both teams recorded five ground balls and three draw controls, with Quincy holding a 9-7 shot advantage.
The teams traded goals in the second quarter, with NMU outscoring Quincy 5-4 to hold an 8-7 lead going into halftime. Quincy out shot the ‘Cats 13-7 in the second, and Montgomery had to make four key saves in the final six minutes of the quarter, including a free position save.
The Hawks came out of the locker room and scored a pair of goals in the first five minutes, claiming its first lead of the day and a 9-8 advantage. Lakosky registered her hat-trick goal from the eight-meter spot to bring the game back even. The Hawks scored three goals to end the third quarter, and the ‘Cats were in a hole.
Quincy scored five minutes into the fourth quarter to give the Hawks a three-goal advantage, and time was winding down, but the ‘Cats weren’t out. Lakosky started the scoring with four minutes left, followed by a goal from Jabas and the Wildcats were one shot away from tying the game. In clutch time, Lakosky found Priestly crashing the net, and the game was tied with 48 seconds to play, and this game would go to overtime.
The Wildcats’ comeback was complete, and the teams squared off for a six-minute, sudden-death overtime frame. The Hawks had the first possession in the frame and Montgomery made a huge save, allowing the ‘Cats to attack. Lakosky had a shot and chance to win but was denied by the goalkeeper. Quincy gained the Wildcat zone and played a pass into the 8-meter and scored off a bang-bang play, and the Wildcats’ comeback effort fell just short.
