TicketsCINCINNATI — The Cincinnati lacrosse team dropped a hard-fought overtime battle to Louisville, 11-10, on Thursday afternoon at Nippert Stadium.
With the loss, the Bearcats fall to 7-4, while the Cardinals improve to 4-4.
Cincinnati entered the fourth period with a 7-6 lead before both teams began trading punches. Louisville tied the contest at 7-all, UC responded to take an 8-7 lead, and then Louisville tied it again at 8-8. Lexie Wolfe then took over, netting back-to-back goals to give the Bearcats a two-goal lead, 10-8, with 3:44 remaining. However, the Cardinals weren't done yet, tallying back-to-back goals to send the contest to overtime. Ella Berg secured the victory for Louisville, converting the overtime game-winner with 2:52 left.
UC never trailed in regulation.
Cincinnati was led by sophomore Paige Selhorn and Wolfe. Selhorn netted four goals and added two assists, while Wolfe claimed a hat trick. Sophomore Alyse Keels also impressed, contributing two goals and two assists. Louisville was led by Grayce Kitchen, who finished with two goals and two assists.
The contest was closely fought, with draw controls even at 11-11. Louisville led in shots 20-17, while Cincinnati posted nine saves to Louisville's seven and led in caused turnovers, 7-4.
The Bearcats got off to a fast start, sparked by Selhorn, who netted a goal at the 10:17 mark in the first period. Cincinnati followed that up with two more goals — highlighted by a Kozina score off a Keels assist — to take a 3-0 advantage. Louisville, though, fought back from its early deficit, going on a 3-1 run to close the period and trim Cincinnati's lead to 4-3.
Keels got the opening goal of the second period. Selhorn was involved in two more goals, scoring one and then dishing an impressive pass in traffic to Wolfe, who caught it on the run and finished. UC outscored UL 3-1 in the period, increasing its advantage to 7-4 entering the half.
The momentum began to shift in the third, as Louisville netted the only two goals of the period, cutting Cincinnati's lead to 7-6.
In the opening minutes of the fourth, the Cardinals knotted the game at 7-all on a goal by Maggie McMahon. Midway through the period, Payton Kozina took matters into her own hands — forcing a turnover, picking up the ground ball and pushing up on a breakaway. She fed Haley Mario, got it back and converted to push the Bearcats back in front, 8-7. Louisville answered quickly, as Mia Lusardi tied it at 8-all at the 7:32 mark. Wolfe then netted back-to-back goals to put Cincinnati up 10-8 with 3:55 remaining. Louisville responded in the closing minutes, converting consecutive goals to send the game to overtime tied at 10.
Berg sealed it for Louisville in overtime, connecting on the game-winner at the 2:52 mark.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats welcome Youngstown State on Sunday, March 22, at 12 p.m. ET at Nippert Stadium.
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