University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Vanderbilt
Nolan Nets Overtime Winner, Huskies Beat Vanderbilt 20-19
4/22/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
STORRS, Conn. ââ'¬" Senior Grace Nolan buried the game-winning goal to help lift the UConn lacrosse team to a 20-19 overtime victory against Vanderbilt on Saturday afternoon. The win capped off a storybook ending for the senior class who round out their last home collegiate game with a win.
LEGEN .... wait for it ... DARY!!
What an unbelievable way to cap of Senior Day!#UConnNation // #GoTogether pic.twitter.com/wTgOjJNmCF- UConn Lacrosse (@UConnWLAX) April 22, 2018
Senior goalkeeper Madison Hooper made one of her most memorable plays of her collegiate career when she denied Kayla Peterson's free position shot to force overtime. With the game tied 19-19, Peterson was sent to the eight-meter line with just five seconds remaining on the clock.
The Commodores (8-8, 3-5) won the draw to kick off extra time. Vanderbilt was able to fire off a shot but the team was once again denied by Hooper who finished the contest with two saves and picked up her first collegiate win. The senior entered the game in relief for sophomore Grace Beshlian who finish the day with six saves.
The 39 combined goals marks the most in program history and tops the BIG EAST record of 36 goals scored back in 2008. Nolan and freshman Sydney Watson led all Huskies with five goals apiece while senior Kelsey Catalano added four of her own.
UConn (8-8, 4-4) battled back from a three-goal deficit at four different points throughout the game, which included trailing 18-15 with 7:59 remaining. The Huskies outscored their opponents 4-1 in the final seven minutes to force extra play. Sophomore Olivia Miles kept her team's hopes alive when she delivered on a free position shot to knot the score 19-19.
The Huskies jumped out to a 2-0 lead early but five-straight goals by the Commodores would give them a healthy lead they would hang onto for the following 10 minutes. UConn would spark a small 4-1 run to lock the score 6-6. Vanderbilt would carry a slight lead for the remainder of the first frame until Catalano and freshman Stephanie Palmucci scored back-to-back goals to make it a 9-9 tilt at the break.
Vanderbilt's offense was hot at the start of the second frame as they took their biggest lead of the game, 15-11, at 16:30. Goals by Watson and junior Anna Costello would chip away at the score but the visitors continued to hold a small lead.
Despite five goals apiece from Vanderbilt's Emily Mathewson and Peterson, the Commodores didn't have an answer for Hooper and the UConn defense towards the end of the game. Seniors Cassie Ekstrom and Grace McDonald forced a pair of timely turnovers that resulted in a pair of goals for the home team and a tie game.
Overtime took just 91 seconds. The play began with Hooper who once against stepped up with a timely save. As the Huskies charged towards their offensive zone, Nolan received a pass near the 25 yard line before making a move and taking off towards the net. It took Nolan one shot to find the back of the net and secure the win for the Huskies.
UConn will round out its final regular season game on Saturday, April 28 at Marquette. The Huskies are fighting for a spot in the BIG EAST conference tournament held May, 3-5. First draw is set for 12:00 p.m. ET.
Relive this memorable Senior Day win over and over again!
(You know you want too)#UConnNation // #GoTogether pic.twitter.com/4lUF1FcvvY- UConn Lacrosse (@UConnWLAX) April 22, 2018
