Women's Lacrosse Drops Overtime Contest to Stockton on Sunday

Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)

Patchogue, NY| Despite a four-goal performance by Diana Johnston, the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) women's lacrosse team dropped a hard fought overtime battle to Stockton University 10-9 on early Sunday afternoon at Danzi Stadium. With the loss the Golden Eagles fall to 1-6 on the year while the Ospreys improve to 5-1.

Johnston opened the scoring two minutes into play, but Stockton responded back with a goal of its own just 30 seconds later. Nicole Stoppelli continued her scoring streak at the 21 minute mark to give the Golden Eagles a 2-1 lead. Johnston tacked on another goal with 15 minutes left in the half, with Brooke Kreuscher tallying her first goal of the contest to hold a 4-1 lead over the Ospreys.

With momentum shifting towards Stockton's side, The Ospreys rallied back scoring three unanswered goals -two by Abbey Yannacone -to exit the half with a 4-4 tie.

The Golden Eagles took back their two goal lead (6-4) to start of the half with help from Kreuscher when she assisted on on Johnston's third goal of the contest, Stoppelli followed with a goal of her own with 19:23 remaining. Stockton tallied back-to-back goals in the 15 and 14 minute marks to even up the scoring 6-6.

With 12:14 left to play, Trisha Barrett picked up a groundball and fought off several defenders to give SJC its third lead of the day (7-6). The Osprey's answered right back with another goal at the 7:23 mark to bring the game to a 7-7 stalemate.

The Golden Eagles took an 8-7 lead with 6:08 left to play when Johnston took a ball of the sticks of Kreuscher to net her 12th goal of the season.  Stockton fired back-to-back goals under the two minute mark to capture a 9-8 lead.

In desperation, Kreuscher fired a pass to Johnston and had the ball knocked out with seven seconds remaining, Stoppelli came up with the ball after the scuffle and slotted home the game-tying goal in the final seconds to send the game into overtime 9-9.

Stockton continued to dominate possession into the overtime period and was able to score the game winner to defeat the Golden Eagles 10-9.

Johnston finished the day with four goals on five shots, while Kreuscher tallied four points (1g, 3a) on the day. Stoppelli tallied a hat-trick and assisted in a goal as well.

Despite being credited with the loss Lindsay Ramos had a career-best (second in program history) 22 saves on the afternoon.

The Golden Eagles will begin Conference play on Tuesday March 28, when they travel to take on Skyline Conference rivals Farmingdale St. in a rematch of the Skyline Conference Championship Final at 7PM.  Live stats will be available here.