SPORTS
Tough Overtime Loss for ‘Cats on Senior Day
Davidson lacrosse team & family members of the seniors pose with The Wildcat: (l-r) Mackenzie Sivilli (11), Christine Molinari (16), Rose Woolson (53, and Rachel Hianik (17) were honored before Sunday’s game.
DAVIDSON, N.C. — VCU capped off a four-goal rally by scoring the game-winner just 39 seconds into overtime and Davidson suffered a tough 12-11 defeat on Senior Day in Atlantic 10 women’s lacrosse Sunday afternoon at Richardson Stadium.
Senior Christine Molinari maneuvers behind the VCU goal looking for an opening in the Rams defense.
After a 30-minute lighting delay, both teams came out and the Rams (6-8, 4-2 A-10) won the draw control to start overtime. It took just a few passes before Molly Barcikowski got the final pass from Keriann McTavish and found the back of the net to end the game.
Davidson, which was leading 11-8 with less than 16 minutes to go, had two costly turnovers on their defensive end in the closing minutes that helped VCU tie it up.
Senior Mackenzie Sivilli.
The Rams’ Hyatt scored the tying goal, her seventh of the game and third straight to end the second half, with 1:19 to go after the last Wildcat turnover. Davidson was able to withstand one last push by the Rams in the final 22 seconds thanks to a big save from goalie Delaney Guhman with 17 ticks remaining in regulation.
Sarah Kopp had a hat trick on the day, while Tess Reiman and Shannon Blee scored twice each. Reiman added an assist for three points and Sophia Sgroi recorded three points as well on a goal and two assists, and added a career-best six draw controls.
In addition to Hyatt’s seven goals, VCU’s Bracikowski and Jessica Del Rossi had two goals apiece. Bracikowski added two assists.
Christine Molinari and Reiman had given the Wildcats a 10-7 lead midway through the second half after VCU closed within 8-7 to open the second half.
It was a strong start for the ‘Cats in the first half behind Kopp’s and Blee’s two goals each in a 6-1 run. Sgroi had two points in the run as well, scoring the final goal at the 9:22 mark.
Junior Sophia Sgroi maneuvers with the ball.
The momentum turned after the Rams called a timeout, getting three straight goals in a near two-minute span to make it 6-4.
Davidson responded though, with another Kopp goal to give her a hat trick in the half and then Reiman scored her fourth of the season for an 8-4 lead with 5:09 on the clock. The ‘Cats headed into the break up 8-5.
Guhman had another strong game between the pipes with a career-best 17 saves, 12 of them in the second half, and added four groundballs.
VCU had a 38-25 advantage in shots to go with a 17-9 edge in draw controls. Davidson won the battle in groundballs at 19-18 and forced five turnovers, three by senior Mackenzie Sivilli. She also had three groundballs.
Prior to the game, seniors Rose Woolson, Rachel Hianik, Molinari and Sivilli were honored as they played in their final career home game.
Davidson wraps up the regular season with three road games, starting Friday, April 20, at Duquesne.
Davidson lacrosse seniors pose with The Wildcat: (l-r) Mackenzie Sivilli (11), Christine Molinari (16), The Cat, Rachel Hianik (17), and Rose Woolson (53) were honored before their final career home game.