The Mavericks pulled off the 13-12 overtime victory over the Lions as redshirt sophomore midfielder Taylor Jakeman scored the game-winner.
Redshirt sophomore attacker Regan Wentz led the Mavericks in scoring with three goals in the game. She scored the game-tying goal with five seconds remaining on a man-up opportunity and free-position shot.
The Mavericks goaltenders redshirt senior Lula Mitchell and freshman Shannon Murphy combined to make seven saves in the game. Colorado Mesa University (CMU) also won the ground ball battle as they finished with a 25 to 21 advantage.
The three-minute overtime period lasted just 34 seconds as Jakeman beat her defender on the low side and put herself in a one-on-one situation with the Lions goaltender. Jakeman placed the shot on the near-side hip of the Saint Leo University (SLU) goalie.
Both teams score one goal each in the fourth quarter and CMU held a 10-11 lead going into the final two minutes of the game.
Delaney Gilchrist scored a man-up opportunity goal on a free-position shot with 1:58 left in regulation. Maria Palomba gave the Lions a 12-11 lead with 26 seconds left as she scored off another free-position shot.
Wentz tied the game up at 12 with five seconds remaining to send the game to overtime off another free position shot in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks came into the third quarter down 6-8, but redshirt sophomore attacker Brianna Anderson brought CMU within one goal. Fiona McLaughlin gave the Lions a two-goal lead with 10:56 left in the third quarter.
Redshirt sophomore attacker Melanie Evans answered with a goal of her own three minutes later to bring the Mavericks back within one. Wentz and Anderson each scored a goal in the final 15 seconds of the third quarter to give the Mavericks a 10-9 lead.
The score was tied at four at the start of the second quarter.
McLaughlin gave the Lions a one-goal lead with 10:41 left in the first half off an assist from Reagan Buhrman. Redshirt sophomore midfielder Kiley Davis answered to keep the game tied as she rifled a shot into the back of the net from just inside the eight-meter arc.
SLU scored three unanswered goals to take an 8-5 lead with 2:44 left in the first half. Wentz got on the board less than 30 seconds later to bring the Mavericks back within two goals.
Redshirt junior midfielder Ashton Whittle, Davis and Anderson all scored two goals in the game as they were key in the Mavericks victory.
Both teams turned the ball over 27 times in the game. The Mavericks caused 16 of the Lion’s turnovers, and the Lions caused 17 of the Maverick’s turnovers.
The Maverick’s next game is Sunday, March 27 at 1:00 p.m. against Lindenwood University at home inside Community Hospital Unity Field.
