Christopher Newport Edges Seahawks in OT on Senior Day

Box Score

St. Mary's City, Md. – First-year defender Kelly Lane (Great Falls, Va./Flint Hill) notched the would-be game-winner with 1:48 remaining in overtime to lift her Christopher Newport University Captains to a 14-13 overtime non-conference victory over the St. Mary's College of Maryland women's lacrosse team Wednesday afternoon.

St. Mary's first-year midfielder Lauriann Parker (Woodbine, Md./Glenelg) knotted the contest at 14-all with 31 seconds left in OT but the goal was called because of a crease violation. This was the second goal that the Seahawks had called back as a goal in the second half was pulled because of an illegal stick.

Today's contest was the second meeting between the two teams in four days with each team claiming a win on the other's home field as St. Mary's posted a 20-18 win in Newport News, Virginia, behind a 12-point performance by Parker.

St. Mary's (9-9) three seniors – defender Alex Bertrand (Annapolis, Md./St. Mary's, Annapolis), attacker Kelsey Branch (Jarrettsville, Md./North Harford), and attacker Nora Fallon-Oben (Silver Spring, Md./St. John's College [D.C.]) – were recognized prior to the start of today's contest. During their four-year tenure at St. Mary's, this trio helped the Seahawks amass a 44-28 four-year record, including a 21-7 mark in Capital Athletic Conference action. SMCM advanced to the CAC semifinals for the past three seasons. In 2008, these seniors guided the Seahawks to the program's second CAC runner-up title as well as the program's seventh trip to the NCAA tournament.

Nora Fallon-Oben It was back-and-forth in the first 15 minutes of the game until Christopher Newport (13-5) scored four in a row to boast an 8-6 advantage with 3:26 left in the first half. Sophomore midfielder Lauren Bennett (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) and Fallon-Oben each found the back of the net to tie the game at 8-all at 1:34. Junior attacker Kaitlin Quigley (Round Hill, Va./Loudoun Valley) gave her Captains a 9-8 advantage at halftime.

Quigley led CNU with game-highs of four goals and five points while senior defender Alyssa Burke (Fairfax, Va./Robinson) added two goals and two assists. Junior attacker Meghan Harkey (Purcellville, Va./Loudoun Valley) and midfielders Rachel Tomlinson (Springfield, Va./West Springfield) and Natalie Gilbert (Annandale, Va./Annandale) contributed to the offense with two goals and an assist apiece.

Neither team led by more than a goal in the second half. St. Mary's claimed an 11-10 edge at 24:03 as the Seahawks scored twice in 33 seconds. CNU responded with a pair of goals to reclaim a one-goal lead at 8:06 before sophomore midfielder Laura Leigh Cooper (Fruitland, Md./James M. Bennett) scored her 16th goal of the season at 5:17 to knot the game for the ninth time.

Junior Colleen Simpson (Arnold, Md./Broadneck) made two huge saves for the Seahawks in the final 5:17 to preserve the 12-12 draw and force overtime. Simpson finished with six saves after starting the second half. Junior Jamie Roberts (Rockville, Md./Barrie) had one stop in the first 21 minutes while first-year Katie Hammerer (Leonardtown, Md./Leonardtown) made three saves in 11 minutes of play.

Fallon-Oben paced her team in her final collegiate game as a Seahawk with three goals while Parker added two goals and two assists. Bennett finished with two goals and an assist and first-year midfielder Erin Shackelford (Annapolis, Md./Annapolis) chipped in a pair of goals.

Senior Gayle Robinson (Reston, Va./South Lakes) turned away 10 shots in the win for the Captains while scooping up five ground balls and causing two turnovers.

St. Mary's edged the Captains in shots (35-30), ground balls (22-20) and draw controls (16-15). Cooper finished with a game-high five draw controls while junior defender Elisa Bateman (Sparks, Md./Hereford) scooped up a game-high five ground balls.