University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
19-1, 9-0 A-10
No. 16 Princeton
11-6, 6-1Ivy
McDonald Nets OT Game-Winner Over Princeton in NCAA Tourney
May 13, 2016 | Women's Lacrosse
May 13, 2016
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ITHACA, N.Y. - Eileen McDonald made her only goal of the game a big one as she scored the game-winner with 2:23 left in overtime on Friday afternoon giving the UMass women's lacrosse team a 13-12 win over Princeton in the NCAA Tournament First Round. The Minutewomen (19-1) will advance to the NCAA Second Round taking on either No. 8 seed and host Cornell or Canisius.
In what proved a nip-and-tuck game the entire way, it was the final 14 seconds of regulation that was the most dramatic. With the game tied 11-11 and the ball in the Minutewomen's possession, Callie Santos scored on a feed from Hannah Murphy giving UMass a 12-11 lead with 14 seconds to go.
On the ensuing draw control, Princeton (11-6) was able to control and worked the ball towards cage after a UMass foul. Nonie Anderson threaded a pass to Olivia Hompe who scored with 0.8 seconds remaining to tie the game and force overtime.
Along with McDonald, UMass received heroics from Aileen Kelly who made a pair of high quality saves to keep the game tied. Her save with 3:02 left came right on the doorstep of the crease as she stopped Abby Finelston's bid for the game-winner.
After the mid-point draw of overtime when to UMass, McDonald was able to curl around the cage to score the game-winner.
Erika Eipp finished the game with four goals and two assists to lead all players in the game, while Santos finished with three goals. Holly Turner had two goals and an assist along with a key caused turnover towards the end of regulation. Hannah Burnett had a goal and two assists as did Murphy.
Murphy was also key in the draw circle winning eight draws in the game.
In goal, Sam Walters made six saves in the first half, while Kelly added five saves in the second half and overtime. For Kelly, it marked her second straight win after picking up the first of her career against Richmond in the Atlantic 10 Championship title game.
Princeton had 11 different goal scorers in the game with Hompe leading the offense with two goals and an assist.
Ellie DeGarmo made six saves in the second straight overtime loss for the Tigers.
For UMass, the win marks the third time in the last four years that the Minutewomen have advanced to the NCAA Second Round. This is the 11th overall appearance in the tournament for the Minutewomen including the eighth straight.
