BABSON PARK, Mass. – A free position goal with 1:05 left in overtime completed the comeback for No. 14 Babson College as it rallied to defeat MIT, 14-13, in a NEWMAC women's lacrosse game on Wednesday night. Senior
Julianne Flusche (Ridgewood, N.J.) compiled three goals, seven draw controls, three caused turnovers, and two groundballs for the Engineers.
THE BASICS:
- Score: No. 14 Babson 14, MIT 13 (OT)
- Records: MIT (6-7 Overall, 5-1 NEWMAC); No. 14 Babson (8-2 Overall, 7-0 NEWMAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Babson opened the game with four goals during the first four minutes. With just over 10 minutes on the clock, a goal by junior Annica Lam (Livingston, N.J.) sparked a 7-0 run that spanned 6:31. Senior Sydney Pyon (Garnet Valley, Pa.) posted a goal and an assist while junior Ashley Thomas (Summit, N.J.) scored twice.
- The Beavers countered with two goals during the last 1:48 of the frame, narrowing the gap to 7-6.
- Babson evened the score 36 seconds into the second quarter. A defensive battle ensued until junior Nina Petulla (Natick, Mass.) redirected a feed from Thomas at the 5:41 mark. Thomas earned another assist when Flusche found the back of the net with 1:16 on the clock, giving the Engineers a 9-7 lead at halftime.
- MIT extended its advantage courtesy of four unanswered goals, capped by back-to-back strikes from Lam with 2:40 remaining in the third quarter. The Beavers countered with two goals inside the final 1:23 of the quarter, making the score 13-9.
- Babson had the upper hand in the fourth quarter as it recorded four goals, tying the game at 13-13 with 3:30 left to play. After trading possessions, first-year Alexis Reinard (Nottingham, Pa.) caused a turnover and following an MIT timeout, her shot hit the post with 1:04 to go. The Beavers had a chance to end the game in regulation, but sophomore goalie Pauline Vien (Brookline, Mass.) came up with a save with 36 seconds remaining.
- During the first three minutes of the extra session the Engineers put two shots on goal, but they were saved.
- In the second half of the first overtime period, Flusche collected the opening draw control. However, Babson later forced a turnover which set up what proved to be the final possession.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Thomas finished with two goals and four assists as Lam posted three goals and four groundballs.
- Sophomore Jillian Butler (Brecksville, Ohio) totaled one goal, one assist, three caused turnovers and two draw controls while junior Gwen Flusche (Ridgewood, N.J.) registered one goal, four draw controls, and three groundballs.
- Vien ended the night with 14 saves.
- This was the fourth overtime game between both programs, all of which have occurred during the regular season. MIT emerged with a triple-overtime win in 2003 (10-9) while Babson claimed the victories in 2017 (10-9) and 2022 (17-16).
UP NEXT:
- MIT will host NEWMAC foe Salve Regina University on Saturday, April 12 at 12:00 PM.
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