May 1, 2008
BEVERLY, Mass. - The Endicott College women's lacrosse team scored two goals in the final 48 seconds to defeat rival Gordon College, 10-9, in the TCCC semifinals on Thursday afternoon at Endicott Stadium in Beverly, Mass. The Gulls advance to the finals where they will host No. 2 Roger Williams on Saturday.
Gordon took a 9-8 lead with 3:18 remaining in regulation. Following an Endicott timeout, the Gulls stalled and held possession in the offensive zone for over a minute before senior Emily Judd (Peabody, Mass.) took the ball, spun, and fired a shot past the goalie's shoulder to tie the game at 9-all with 47 seconds showing on the clock.
Endicott regained possession after the face-off but turned the ball over deep in the Gordon zone with just over ten seconds remaining. An errant pass led to a quick Endicott steal and Kellie Cunningham (Derry, N.H.) ended up with the ball. The freshman rushed the net and turned her back to the goaltender but was then pushed from behind by a Scots' defender. Falling forwards, Cunningham unleashed an underhand shot towards the Scots' cage. The ball fired past the sprawled out goaltender and into the back of the net, reclaiming the Endicott lead with just 4.8 seconds remaining. The goal punched the Gulls' ticket to the TCCC Championship game with the stunning, 10-9, come-from-behind win.
Gordon dominated most of the first half controlling time of possession and shots on goal. With 11 minutes remaining in the first period, it seemed as if the Scots had deflated Endicott's title hopes leading 5-1 with a pair of goals from both Dani Zorn (Mercer Island, Wash.) and Katie Knaus (Kensington, Conn.).
But Valerie Feldman (Albany, N.Y.) answered back scoring two goals on free position attempts to close out the half, giving some life back to the Gulls going into the break.
Endicott and Gordon traded a pair of goals to the start the second half, but the Gulls persistent attack, spurred by two goals from Alex Pearce (Underhill, Vt.), gave them their first lead of the game at 8-7.
The Scots answer right back when Amber Whalen (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Zorn netted their third and fourth goals respectively and once again took the wind out from beneath the Gulls wings with 3:08 remaining. The Blue and Green, now trailing 9-8, would soon respond.
Pearce led Endicott with three goals and Judd tallied four total points with two goals and two assists. Gordon's Zorn led the team in goals with four and Annie Cameron notched three assists.
The Gulls will be gunning for their third-straight TCCC title on Saturday afternoon as they are set to host Roger William University. Game time is to be announced.
