Syracuse, N.Y. - Kole Pollock scored with 4.6 seconds left in the first half of the second overtime period to give fourth-ranked and third-seeded Adelphi University women's lacrosse a 12-11 double-overtime win over the top-ranked/seeded Le Moyne College in the NCAA Championships East Region final on Sunday afternoon at Ted Grant Field.
The Panthers (17-3) overcame an early four-goal deficit and scored when it mattered to keep their playoff run alive, avenging a one-goal regular season loss to the Dolphins, who finish the 2019 campaign with a 20-2 record, and the second-most wins in the program's history.
After
Alyssa Gillespie scored the opening goal of the contest, the Brown and Gold grew quiet as the home team and defending Division II National Champions rattled off five straight, capped with a goal from Northeast-10 Attacker of the Year Bryanna Fazio.
Chelsea Abreu and Pollock were able to cut the Le Moyne lead to three at the half, scoring their firsts of the contest in the opening 30 minutes of action.
Adelphi was able to go on a run coming out of halftime, scoring the next four to take their second lead of the game after the early 1-0 advantage.
Allison Stackpole's goal at 24:29 in the second gave the Panthers a 7-6 lead but the seasoned Dolphins had answers, scoring five straight to keep their opponents at bay. With under 15 minutes to play in regulation, the visitors went to work, slowly chipping away at Le Moyne's four-goal advantage.
Abreu's hat trick tally was the spark that ignited Adelphi's offense, as the defense continued to do their job at the other end of the field.
Molly Fetherston buried a shot past Hannah George and assisted
Alison Johnson's tally to bring the Panthers within one with just under two to play. Head Coach
Pat McCabe took his final timeout to draw up a play that positioned Abreu in the right place to score the equalizer with 32 seconds left on timer.
Emma Lemanski and George both picked up huge stops in both halves of the first overtime, both on free position attempts. Heading into the second overtime segment, Le Moyne took the first shot which was blocked by an AU defender and a successful clear gave Adelphi another shot at goal. Fetherston ripped a pass from behind the cage to a storming Pollock who nailed a shot over the shoulder of George as the game clock read 4.6 seconds, sending the Panthers back to the national semifinal.
Adelphi plays top seed Regis (Colorado) in the semifinals on Friday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. on the campus of Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.
About Adelphi Athletics
A regionally and nationally competitive NCAA Division II institution located in Garden City, N.Y., Adelphi University has been a proud member of the Northeast-10 Conference since 2009.
Winners of 16 NCAA Division II National Championships and four NE10 Presidents' Cups, Panther athletes have excelled at the conference, regional and national level, both on the field of play and in the classroom. In turn, the Adelphi athletic department is committed to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, equity and success where its student-athletes can thrive both on campus and off.
Stay connected with Adelphi Athletics by following the Panthers at aupanthers.com or via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and wear your Panther pride by shopping official Adelphi Panthers gear at our licensed team store.
