'Cats Battle Back Before Falling in Overtime to VCU, 16-15

Sunday, April 14

Richmond, Va.

1:00 p.m.

Davidson College

7-9, 1-7 A-10

VCU

6-9, 3-5 A-10

Davidson

VCU

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

'Cats Battle Back Before Falling in Overtime to VCU, 16-15

4/14/2019 8:21:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Gavin McFarlin - Associate SID

Box Score
DavidsonPhotos.com

RICHMOND, Va. — Davidson overcame a three-goal deficit in the final five minutes of regulation to force overtime, but VCU scored the game-winner a minute and a half into the extra period to pull out a 16-15 decision Sunday afternoon in Atlantic 10 women's lacrosse at Cary Street Field.

The Rams (6-9, 3-5 A-10) got the game-winner off the stick of Sky Hyatt with 4:32 to go in overtime. It was her sixth goal of the game and the 44th of the season.

The Wildcats had won the opening draw in the extra period and even drew a free-position attempt by Lauren Arkell with 5:19 on the clock. But, her shot was saved by VCU's goalie and the Rams clear attempt was good to help set up the game-winning score.

Davidson (7-9, 1-7 A-10) overcame a three-goal deficit in the final 5:46 of regulation with three straight goals from Sophia Sgroi, Gianna New and Sarah Kopp to go to overtime at 15-all.

The 'Cats were able to force overtime when Shannon Blee caused a VCU turnover with 1:27 to go and then called a timeout at 1:09. Out of the timeout, a green card was given to a Rams player, which gave the 'Cats a man-up advantage and Kopp took care of the rest with her third score of the game and just 39 ticks left in regulation to tie it up at 15.

It was Kopp's third time this year with a hat trick, while New led Davidson's offense with a season-best tying five points on three goals and two assists. Sgroi had two goals and two assists as did Braeden Dial, giving her team bests of 30 goals, 24 assists and 54 points.

Prior to the 15-12 deficit, Davidson was down 13-9 midway through the second half, but got a pair of goals from New and one from Kopp over a four-minute stretch to get within 14-12 with 7:17 left in the half.

VCU was paced by Hyatt, who also added an assist for seven points on the day. Molly Barcikowski scored four times and added an assist, while Clare Murphy finished with two goals and an assist for three points.

The first half had seven lead changes and six ties through the first 14 minutes of action. Three times Davidson had the lead only to see the Rams score on the next play. VCU eventually pulled away with three unanswered goals to go up 9-6 at halftime.

Starting the new half, Davidson came out strong by tying things up at 9-all with three consecutive goals, the final two from Olivia Carey, and 24:57 left in the half. VCU though would answer with a 4-0 run to go up 13-9 before the Wildcats battled back.

Tallying her fourth double-digit save game of the season was Delaney Guhman in goal. She came up with 11 saves to push her total to 135 on the season, good for tenth-most in a single season. The junior also scooped up four groundballs.

Shots were even at 31-apiece and both teams caused 13 turnovers each, while Davidson had edges in draw controls (18-15) and groundballs (21-20).

Sgroi recorded 13 draw controls, her fourth game this year with double-digit draws, and now has 95 for a new single season record.

Natalie Junior was very active on defense with a career-high six groundballs as well as tying her career-best with five caused turnovers. Blee had season highs of three groundballs and three caused turnovers.

Davidson returns home for its regular season finale against St. Bonaventure next Saturday, April 20, at 1 p.m.