(BALTIMORE, Md.) – Wilson held off Goucher in a back-and-forth high scoring affair in women's lacrosse action to win by one on a rainy Wednesday afternoon.
Sage Lague (Jr., Fairplay, Md. / Goretti) shined as she had a career day with eight goals and an assist to lead the offense.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 16, Goucher 15
Venue: Beldon Field
Records: Wilson 2-0, Goucher 1-3
How It Happened
- It took a little while for the Phoenix to get started as Goucher jumped out to a 3-0 lead to start the game. Wilson responded in a big way and scored four consecutive goals to take the lead. Jill Ahlgren (Sr., Mercersburg, Pa. / Mercersburg) started the momentum swing by causing a turnover, getting the ground ball, and getting fouled in the offensive end before she put the Phoenix on the scoreboard with a free position goal.
- The last few minutes of the first also helped set the tone for the Blue and White as they scored three goals to take the lead by the end of the first. Anna Gibson (Sr., Cecil County, Md. / Perryville) cut the deficit to one with a goal with 2:39 to go in the frame. After another Ahlgren caused turnover and ground ball, Alaina Marek (FY, Bealeton, Va. / Liberty) scored the equalizer on a player-up opportunity with 59 seconds left. The Gophers won the ensuing draw, but Ahlgren caused yet another turnover with her own ground ball recovery which helped set up a free position attempt that Alyvia Henneman (FY, Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley) scored a go-ahead goal with 39 seconds to go.
- From there it was back-and-forth. Wilson never trailed the rest of the way, but wasn't able to fully pull away either. The Gophers opened the second with a player-up goal before Ahlgren scored to go back up just over a minute later. After Goucher tied the game again, Ahlgren and Lague put Wilson up two. It appeared they'd go into halftime with such a lead, but the Gophers scored with nine seconds left in the half.
- Lague was just getting started and scored a free position goal to open the third. From there teams started exchanging goals in pairs. Goucher tied the game once again before Gibson and Lague found the back of the net for a 10-8 lead midway through the period. The Gophers responded hastily with two scores in the next 1:40, but Wilson closed the third in style with a goal by Ahlgreen and another pair from Lague for a 13-10 lead. It was Wilson's largest of the game.
- A nail-biting fourth saw the hosts score the first two goals to climb back within one. Lague remained on fire and scored the next two 18 seconds apart for a 15-12 lead. Goucher didn't go away quietly and scored a player-up goal on a free position to keep it close.
- The Gophers had an opportunity to tie, but a turnover left Wilson with possession. Lague made it count with a player-up goal for a two-goal lead with 44 ticks on the clock. The Gophers remained feisty with a draw win and a goal 14 seconds later to get back within one. They also won the next draw control and got off a shot with 16 seconds left, but Kaelyn Goff (FY, Union Bridge, Md. / Francis Scott Key) made a critical save. Ellisa Gamby-Mickey (FY, Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) picked up a crucial ground ball and run off enough time to seal the win.
Inside The Numbers
- Lague finished an incredible game with eight goals and an assist with the first point coming after 25 minutes elapsed in the contest. It broke her previous best of six goals scored against Centenary back on April 2, 2022.
- Lague was also busy defensively with two ground balls, two caused turnovers, and six draw controls.
- Ahlgren remained consistent and busy across the field with four goals and an assist offensively while she picked up seven ground balls, caused four turnovers, and amassed four draw controls.
- Gibson had a multiple-goal day as well with two scores and an assist.
- Defensively Gamby-Mickey was impressive with six ground balls and a caused turnover.
- Goff got the win after making six saves between the pipes.
- As one might expect from the score, shots were even at 29-all. Goucher won the battle for ground balls 23-20 and held a 15-13 edge in draw controls.
Up Next
Wilson head to Williamsport to take on Lycoming this Saturday. Opening draw with the Warriors is set for 1 p.m.
