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Kennesaw, Ga. – Kennesaw State women's lacrosse won its first ever overtime game in school history in dramatic fashion on Thursday afternoon, beating the Queens University Royals 8-7. The Owls improve to 6-4, besting last season's win total and the most since 2022.
KEY PLAYERS: Lavona Watkins stepped up big for the Owls with three draw controls and two goals, including the overtime game winner.
Caleigh Shore and
Lexi Tinker also scored two goals each, with Shore tacking on an assist.
THE RUNDOWN: The Owls quickly fell behind 2-0 after surrendering two Queens goals in the first three minutes. Shore finally cracked the scoring column for the Owls, weaving through the defense and finding the net to cut the lead to 2-1. The Royals scored again with two minutes left in the first quarter for a 3-1 after the first 15.
Queens scored another goal to reach a 4-1 advantage just a minute and a half into the second quarter. The Owls' comeback began as Tinker was able to get going, scoring on a free-position shot. Shore scored her second goal of the game to bring KSU back to within one. In the final minute of the first half after an errant free-position attempt and the shot clock winding down,
Caleigh Shore made an incredible pass from behind the Queens goal to find
Addelyn Maxwell with just enough space to tie the game 4-4 at the break.
The Owls struck again immediately in the second half, forcing a turnover after the Queens draw control, with
Marleigh Belinfanti sprinting down to score a goal to give KSU its first lead of the game just 16 seconds into the second half. The Royals struck back in the middle of the third quarter to even the score at five apiece. After another extended stalemate,
Lavona Watkins scored her first goal on a free-position attempt to put the Owls back in front 6-5 at the end of the third quarter.
The defensive battle back and forth continued well into the fourth quarter, before Queens broke through and tied the game at six with just under six to play in regulation. The Royals were able to recapture the lead with two and a half minutes to go, putting the Owls down 7-6. KSU got the ensuing draw control and
Lexi Tinker wasted no time, going on-on-one, spinning away from the Queens defender, and firing the game-tying goal into the top right corner, evening the score again at seven to send the game into overtime. The aggressive offensive continued in overtime, with the Owls winning the draw control.
Lavona Watkins was able to pick her spot, going left at the goal, before firing back across her body and walking it off, 8-7 for KSU.
POSTGAME QUOTE – HEAD COACH LAURA MANESS
"An awesome day for lacrosse. We knew this was going to be an absolute dogfight, which we were prepared for. Queens came out aggressive and scored quickly, so we had to wake up and answer back. We really battled the rest of the game, through thick and thin. Lexi did a good job changing her shot selection for the game-tying goal, placing the ball well and moving the goalie off her spot. Going down and tying the game and into overtime, the composure was there as a team, something that was missing earlier in our first overtime game against Winthrop. We were much more composed and confident, and it showed. In overtime, Lavona having that nice high shot. We had been shooting a lot lower on the goalie, so that change in shot threw them off. To see her to give every last bit of effort to close that game out, just shows the grittiness of not just her, but the whole team."
NOTES
- This was the first ever overtime win in program history, losing the previous five overtime matches.
- The Owls eight goals are the lowest number of goals scored in a win in history; the previous low was 11.
- This marks the first win over Queens in program history.
- KSU surpassed last season's win total and reached the highest win total since 2022.
- Cybella Smith reached a new career-high of ground balls in a game, with seven.
NEXT TIME OUT: Kennesaw State wraps up the three-game homestand at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium by welcoming the Lindenwood Lions on Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness, and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
