Box Score Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - The women's lacrosse team fought off the charging Central Connecticut State Blue Devils as they scored a flurry of goals in the later half of the game to force overtime. The Explorers bested Central Connecticut by a single goal in overtime off the hand of Caitlyn Brostrand. 

The Explorers (7-1) extended their best start in program history in a game that they never trailed. Katelyn Fay opened scoring just 1:03 into the game on an assist from Melanie Sarcinello.

CCSU (1-5) tied it up on a Jessica Sudock goal just under seven minutes later. Sarcinello recorded a goal at the 11:21 mark to put the Explorers back up 2-1, a score that held until halftime in a very defensive first half.

The Explorers extended that lead to 5-1 on three straight goals in the first nine minutes of the second half. Alanna Diffendal scored at 24:28 and then assisted on Lauren McDermott's goal just 13 seconds later. Fay netted her second of the game with 21:09 remaining on a McDermott assist.

The Blue Devils scored the next three to get within 5-4 at 14:30, before the Explorers responded with two more goals off the crosses of McDermott and Brostrand to go up 7-4.

That was the last Explorer goal in regulation, as the Blue Devils stormed back with three goals in the last 7:18 to force overtime, including the equalizer with 18 seconds left in regulation.

Neither team could convert through most of the overtime period, but Brostrand broke through with 27 seconds remaining for the final 8-7 score.

The Explorers held a 27-17 advantage on shots, a 31-20 lead in ground balls, and forced 25 Blue Devil turnovers to 19 Explorer miscues. The Blue Devils led in draw controls, 11-8.

The Explorers wrap up nonconference play on Tuesday (3/19) when they travel to Lafayette for a 7 p.m. contest.