MELBOURNE, Fla. – The nationally ranked No. 6 University of New Haven women's lacrosse team rallied to tie Florida Tech with under two minutes remaining in the second half, but the Panthers scored the game-winning goal with less than a minute remaining in overtime to claim a 11-10 win on Monday night.
 
With the victory, Florida Tech is now 5-1. New Haven is 2-2.
 
Jessica Mazliah (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) led New Haven with four points on two goals and two assists. Maya Szymanski (Framingham, Mass./Framingham) had a pair of goals and added a helper while Corinne Fisher (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) scored twice, won two draw controls and caused three turnovers.
 
The Chargers started the game well, opening a 3-1 lead just past the midway point of the first half on goals by Fisher, Devon Previte (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) and Szymanski. A Panthers' goal cut the lead to 3-2 before Szymanski scored again. Subsequent tallies by Nicole Belanger (Kinnelon, N.J./Kinnelon) and Caitlin O'Brien (Branford, Conn./Branford), both assisted by Mazliah helped the Blue and Gold take a 6-3 lead into halftime.
 
Two quick goals to open the second frame by Florida Tech cut the lead to 6-5, but scores from Mazliah and Alicia Busco (Agawam, Mass./Agawam) regained a three goal lead for the Chargers. Undaunted, the Panthers went on a run, scoring five of the next six goals to take a 10-9 lead with 3:24 remaining.
 
With time winding down, New Haven responded as Mazliah was fouled. She scored on the ensuing free position attempt, tying the contest at 10-10 with 1:34 to go. FIT had the final answer, however, scoring with 36 seconds left in the extra period.
 
For the game, New Haven outshot Florida Tech 23-18 and held a slim 15-14 advantage in ground balls. It also marked the first overtime game for the Chargers since April 18, 2012 when it fell to then No. 1 Le Moyne in Syracuse, N.Y.
 
New Haven returns to action on Saturday, March 19 when it opens Northeast-10 Conference play against the Assumption Greyhounds. Opening draw from Kayo Field is slated for 1:00 p.m.