LYNCHBURG, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg women's lacrosse team delivered another dramatic finish Friday afternoon, scoring in overtime to defeat Rhodes, 16–15, at Shellenberger Field.
Lynchburg (7-1) leaned on a balanced offensive effort throughout the contest. McKenna Steinau led the Hornets with five goals, marking her third consecutive game scoring five times, including the crucial late equalizer. Emmy Clay added three goals, while Sydney Dumas, Isabella Vogel, Mya Hausauer, and Lily Messineo each contributed two goals. Neely Morris paced the attack with three assists.
The back-and-forth battle featured six ties and multiple lead changes. Lynchburg struck first with three early goals to take a 3–0 lead midway through the opening quarter before Rhodes (5-2) rallied to even the score at 4–4 by the end of the first period.
Rhodes gained momentum in the second quarter, building an 8–5 advantage after a run of three consecutive goals. Lynchburg answered in the final minute of the half, however, as Lily Messineo, Mya Hausauer, and Isabella Vogel each scored in the closing 1:16 to tie the contest at 8–8 entering halftime.
The teams continued to trade goals in the second half. Lynchburg briefly grabbed the lead in the third quarter after goals from Vogel, Clay, and Dumas helped the Hornets move ahead 12–10. Rhodes responded with two late scores in the period to trim the deficit to one heading into the fourth.
The final quarter delivered the game's most dramatic sequence. Lynchburg built a two-goal cushion at 14–12 with 6:32 remaining following Clay's third goal of the afternoon. Rhodes stormed back once again, scoring three times in the final minutes—including a go-ahead goal with exactly one minute left—to take a 15–14 lead.
But the Hornets had one final response.
With 42 seconds remaining in regulation, Steinau converted a free-position attempt to tie the game at 15–15 and force overtime.
After a defensive stop to open the extra period, Lynchburg secured possession and capitalized. Morris found Hausauer cutting toward the cage, and Hausauer buried the overtime winner with 3:34 remaining to seal the 16–15 victory.
The goal marked the second overtime game-winner for the Hornets at home this season, sending the Shellenberger Field crowd home with another thrilling finish.
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