Pleasantville, N.Y. – Mackenzie Reh (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) scored the game-tying goal with 19 seconds left in regulation, followed by the game winning goal in overtime to lift the University of New Haven women's lacrosse team past Pace, 13-12 in the Northeast-10 Conference quarterfinal round.
Overall, seven different Chargers scored on the night. Reh and Marina Skelly (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connequot) both finished with a hat trick. Emily Holland (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) and Kendra Nolan (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Township) had two goals each, while Samantha Galler (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield), Caroline Maher (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield), and Julia Jette (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) rounded out the scorers with a goal apiece. Maher added a team-high three assists, while Holland had two and Reh had one.
Gianna Guerra (Stony Point, N.Y./North Rockland) earned her 11th victory of the season in goal. The junior goalkeeper had 14 saves on the night and a .538 save percentage. Her 14 saves brings her total to 184 on the season, breaking the single season record Maureen Spellman set in 2010.
The Chargers edged out the Setters in draw controls, 14-13. Nolan had a team-high six, Linton had five and Reh had three. Reh, Linton and Hailey Lyne (Agawam, Mass./Agawam) all had two caused turnovers, while Marie Cox (Hamden, Conn./Hamden) had one. Cox picked up a team-best three ground balls. Reh and Alyssa Bourque (Goffstown, N.H./Goffstown) gathered two ground balls, while Linton had one.
The Setters were on the board first in the opening three minutes of the game. Holland was able to find the back of the net and get the Chargers on the board tying the game at one with 22 minutes left of the first half. The Setters would regain the lead capitalizing on a free position attempt, but Jette would tie the game, gathering the pass from Holland.
The Setters scored three unanswered goals before Skelly broke through with an underhand shot to get back within two. After two quick Pace goals, the Chargers took a two-goal run as Maher and Nolan scored. The Setters would get one more goal before the break to take an 8-5 lead at the half.
After a quiet five minutes of the second half, Pace was able to find the back of the net to extend the lead. The Chargers were down by five with just over 13 minutes left to play. Holland broke through and scored her second goal of the game on a free position attempt to kick start the Chargers comeback.
Reh was able to find the back of the net to pull within three. After a quick response from Pace, Skelly scored twice within 30 seconds to complete her hat trick and get the Chargers within two. Maher passed to Nolan who notched her second goal of the game, cutting the deficit to one. After four scoreless minutes, Pace scored once more to create a two-goal separation but it did not last long as Galler scored on a pass from Reh less than 30 seconds later. Reh tied the game on a free position attempt with 19 seconds remaining to force overtime.
Linton won the draw control in overtime to give the Chargers the first possession of the extra frame. After a quick New Haven timeout, Reh drove to the net and scored to win the sudden death overtime and send the Chargers to the NE10 semifinals.
The Chargers will head to Syracuse, N.Y. on Saturday May 4th to take on seventh seeded Merrimack in the NE10 Semifinals. The winner of that game will advance to the Conference championships which will take place on Sunday, May 5th.
