ENGELWOOD, Fla. - Sophomore midfielder Michaela Johnson (Mukwonago, Wis.) scored the winning goal on a pressure-packed free-position shot with 1 minute, 24 seconds remaining in overtime to lead the Carroll University women's lacrosse team to a 15-14 nonconference victory over high-powered SUNY Canton to cap its final day of competition at the Spring Fling Games on Thursday afternoon.
The determined, hard-fought road performance at Ann Dever Memorial Park completed a highly successful Florida spring break trip for Carroll, which won its second straight to improve to 3-1 overall.
The victory took on added significance as it was the first overtime victory in the five-year history of the Carroll women's program.
The Pioneers have combined to outscore their last two opponents by an impressive 30-19 margin.
Carroll fifth-year head coach Michael Hodge was proud of the way his team stepped up to the difficult challenge on the road and responded with arguably one of the biggest victories in program history.
"It was a huge victory and defining moment in the history of the program," said Hodge, who served as an assistant coach at SUNY Canton in 2013 under the guidance of veteran head coach Dave Bradman. "Being the only team from Wisconsin, it was exciting to come away with a victory against such a highly respected program and take another strong step forward in our progression.
"After giving up several fast-break goals over the course of the first half, we gradually settled down, began to execute up to our potential and finished on some of the opportunities. As that happened, we were able to establish a better flow to get back in it. During the second half, we delivered a great effort on the defensive side and it played a major role in our success. It was all about competing hard and maintaining a positive attitude each step of the way. 
"Coming off the difficult loss to Calvin last week (referring to a stinging 10-5 home-field loss on March 8), it served as a good wake-up call leading into the Florida trip. We used it as a good learning tool and came ready to play our best over spring break. This experience should serve as great motivation as we prepare to finish the nonconference season and head into the challenging conference schedule. Looking back, we are grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in this competition and feel like we represented Carroll University in the best possible way. We're excited about the possibilities for the rest of the season."
The Pioneers finished a program-record best 13-4 overall last year and advanced to the prestigious College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin Tournament.
Sophomore midfielder Clara Jelacic (Waukesha, Wis.) contributed a season-high six goals, won seven draw controls, fielded five ground balls, caused two turnovers and finished on two free-position shots for Carroll, which outshot the Roos 31-24 - including a 23-17 shot-on-goal advantage. Sophomore midfielder Courtenay Karls (Waukesha, Wis.) followed with four goals, one assist, five groundballs, caused four turnovers, won three draw controls and finished on 4 of 4 free-position shots.
Johnson had four goals, four groundballs, won four draw controls and converted on all three of her free-position shots.
Freshman attacker Rachel Fordham (Waukesha, Wis.) had the other goal for the Pioneers, who trailed 9-7 at the intermission but outscored SUNY Canton 7-5 in the momentum-shifting second half - highlighted by six consecutive goals over a critical nine-minute stretch to claim a 14-13 lead.
SUNY Canton tied the game 14-14 on an unassisted goal by senior attacker Maryclare Bowes with 5:14 left in regulation - ultimately setting the stage for Johnson's heroic game-winning shot in overtime.
Senior midfielder Ariannah Ritter (Sun Prairie, Wis.) had a team-high two assists with Fordham and sophomore midfielder Alyssa Scharff (Nashotah, Wis.) each adding an assist.
Senior goalkeeper Shelby Schoob (Sun Prairie, Wis.) played the entire way, registering three critical saves to help preserve the victory.
Bowes scored a team-high six goals for SUNY Canton, which lost for the first time this season and dropped to 3-1 overall.