HAINES CITY, Fla. – The Carroll University women's lacrosse team literally played until the final seconds but fell 14-17 against a tough Eastern Connecticut St. program.
Clara Jelacic led the team with five goals and an assist, while three other Pios finished with two goals.
Abby Stas caused three turnovers while
Katrina Hardin picked up six ground balls.
The Pioneers (4-2, 1-0 CCIW) were outshot 42-22 but still kept it a 3-goal game. Carroll recorded 10 shots alone in the fourth quarter, to help outscore the Warriors 10-7 in the second half.
Alicia Van Dale recorded eight saves before leaving the game due to injury, and
Rebecca McDaniel recorded eight as well in 35 minutes. Carroll completed 20-31 clear attempts and had had four free position goals, including three in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors scored two goals in the first six minutes, and just after Jelacic won the next draw control, the game was postponed due to lightning in the area. During a heavy downpour, the game was postponed until 7 PM. The Warriors scored again before Jelacic scored her 17
th goal of the season to cut it to 3-1.
Zoe Esveldt scored while being assisted by Jelacic to keep it a two-goal game in the first quarter. The Warriors ran their score up to 8-3 but
Abby Stas responded with a free-position goal to cut the deficit to four goals. After two man-up goals from two Carroll yellow cards, the Pioneers went into halftime down 10-4.
Jelacic and Hardin scored within the first two minutes of the second half, and Jelacic scored one more to help solidify a 3-1 run for the Pioneers. After finding themselves down 14-7, the Pioneers sprinted down the field after Jelacic won the draw, finding Stas who found
Lexi Kaltenberg next to the goal for the score. Kaltenberg's goal sparked a 7-3 Pioneer run the remainder of the game, as Carroll cut the game to three goals multiple times.
Grace Brockman scored with three-seconds remaining to close out the game. The Pioneers ran out of time as Jelacic won the final draw control as time expired.
The Pioneers have one more game in Florida, facing off against SUNY Canton on Friday, 3/19 at 2 PM.