HICKORY, N.C. - The Newberry College Wolves women's lacrosse team (9-2, 4-1 SAC) earned their first win against the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne in program history by a final score of 10-9 after Chloe Wood (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada) slotted home the game-winner in overtime.
"This win means more than just the score on the board," said head coach Tommy Kelly. "We had several people go down this week, but while facing adversity, my girls decided to lace it up, pull their hair back, and fight."
The first period of action was a defensive struggle, foreshadowing how most of the game would play out. Wood got the Wolves on the board first, finding the back of the net midway through the quarter, but the Bears would answer on the ensuing possession. The defenses continued to dig in for the rest of the period to keep the score at 1-1 with Madalyn Messersmith (Stevensville, Md.) able to disrupt the Bears' attack by causing a pair of turnovers.
The Bears were able to take the lead early in the second quarter, but the Wolves offense was able to come alive soon after. Wood was able to take advantage of a man-up opportunity by converting on a free-position attempt. Keegan Hanson (Rockledge, Fla.) would then beat the shot clock a few minutes later by coming around the side of the goal for a score to retake the lead. Cassell Richardson (Forest, Va.) found the back of the net before Wood converted another free-position shot to give the Wolves a three-goal lead. The Bears were able to strike back, but Richardson found Kendall Sewell (Bel Air, Md.) with a little over a minute left on the clock to put the Wolves up 6-3 going into halftime.
Sewell would score again a few minutes into the second half to give the Wolves their largest lead of the day, but the Bears came storming back. Lenoir-Rhyne was able to pick up a pair of goals and hold Newberry scoreless for the remainder of the third quarter. They would carry that momentum into the fourth with a pair of goals to tie the game up at 7-7. Adriana Hart (Franklin County, Va.) answered shortly after to put the Wolves back in front, but the Bears were able to tie the game up again a few minutes later before ultimately taking the lead. Wood would once again step up for her team by drawing a free-position attempt for a clutch goal to tie the game up and force overtime.
The Bears would win the draw control to earn the first opportunity in the sudden-death overtime period, but the Newberry defense would make a huge stop to give themselves a chance to win. The Wolves got the ball to Wood, and she was able to split through a double team for a clean run at the goal. She then fired the ball past the goalkeeper to give Newberry the first ever win over Lenoir-Rhyne in program history.
Wood led the way offensively with 5 goals while securing 7 of the teams 12 draw controls. Sewell also scored a pair of goals, and Hanson, Hart, and Richardson each scored once with Richardson also picking up an assist. Meanwhile, Messersmith led the team with 5 caused turnovers. Mack Dorr (Riverhead, N.Y.) was able to pick up the win in goal, earning 9 saves, securing 4 ground balls, and causing a turnover.
The Wolves return to action on Saturday, April 2 when they travel for a nonconference matchup against Converse with first draw scheduled for 1 p.m.
