Lakes rally to win in overtime
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan women’s lacrosse team suffered a tough loss against the No. 17/16 Grand Valley State Lakers, falling 11-12 in overtime.
After conceding the first goal in the game, the Wildcats (7-4, 2-1 GLIAC) led the rest of the way until the game was tied in the fourth quarter. NMU had a terrific start, outscoring the Lakers 6-4 after the first half; the Wildcats’ six goals were the most NMU had scored in an opening half against the Lakers while also holding GVSU to the fewest goals against in an opening half in program history.
The Lakers (7-3, 2-0 GLIAC) outscored the Wildcats 3-1 in the final quarter and 5-2 in the final 20 minutes of regulation to force overtime. NMU goalkeeper Zoe Montgomery made two saves in the overtime period, including one from a free position attempt, before the Lakers scored just under two minutes in.
Josie Lakosky led NMU’s offense with a double hat-trick for the game. Maddi Bast followed closely behind with a hat-trick of her own, while also scoring her 100th career point in the first quarter. Sophie Langsdale and Taylor Priestley each added a goal of their own to the scoreboard. Netminder Montgomery played a major role in Northern’s defense, having eight crucial saves during the match.
Northern outshot the Lakers 26-24, with the ‘Cats having 15 on goal versus GVSU’s 13. The ‘Cats also had an advantage in ground balls, 10-7, and caused turnovers, 5-3. Both teams’ goalkeepers made eight saves during the match, with GVSU completing 15 of 15 clears while NMU completed 12 of its 13.
How It Happened
The Lakers found the first goal of the game on their second offensive possession, but Lakosky answered back quickly with a goal of her own just inside the eight-meter. Five minutes later, Bast put a spin move on a Laker and sniped the back of the net, scoring her 100th career point and putting the Wildcats up by one. With three minutes remaining, Priestley found Langsdale inside the eight-meter, and a few minutes later, Lakosky found a second goal to end the first quarter 4-1.
Lakosky got right back to it, scoring a hat-trick goal to keep the ‘Cats rolling in the first minute of the second quarter. Grand Valley found a second goal two minutes later, but Northern wasn’t done. Bast ripped one in from a free-position to keep NMU on top. GVSU countered with two more goals, but with Northern still on top, setting program records for fewest goals conceded in a first half and most goals scored in a first half against GVSU.
Starting the third quarter off strong, Bast found her third goal of the game off another free-position goal, with Priestley also finding a goal off a free-position, her first of the game. Sitting at 8-5, Grand Valley found the back of the net to give them six goals, keeping the game close. With seven minutes left, Lakosky fired the ball into the net, but Grand Valley answered with three more goals to make it 9-8. A pivotal fifth goal for Lakosky came in the 13th minute, ending the third quarter 10-8 ‘Cats.
A goal from the Lakers in the first minute started the fourth quarter off, but once again, Lakosky launched one in for a double hat-trick, furthering the score 11-9. GVSU came back, scoring two goals and tying up the game 11-11 with seven minutes remaining. Going scoreless for the rest of the quarter, the game went into overtime.
As GVSU won the draw control during the first period of overtime, Montgomery made a pair of crucial saves from a free position attempt and a shot in tight before they scored the game winner with one minute remaining.
