NEW LONDON, Conn.--The Bates College women's lacrosse team (6-4, 3-3) withstood a furious second half comeback from Connecticut College (2-8, 0-6) to hold on for a 10-9 NESCAC win in New London. Brianna Gross (Andover, Mass.) netted her fourth goal of the day with one minute remaining to break a 9-9 tie for the Bobcats.

Junior midfielder Morgan Maciewicz (Marblehead, Mass.) chipped in with three goals and an assist for the visitors. Sophomore Mara Krueger (St. Louis, Mo.) made seven saves in the victory for the Bobcats.

Connecticut College freshman Ali Iovanella (Mantoloking, N.J.) fueled the second half comeback for the hosts, tallying a team-high four goals in the setback. Emily Mason (Williamstown, Mass.) contributed two goals, three draw controls and two ground balls for the Camels. Sara Christopher (Andover, Mass.) and Paige Pascarelli (Wayne, Pa.) tallied two assists each for Connecticut College.

Rookie net-minder Ashleigh Kowtoniuk (Johnstown, Pa.) had six saves and four ground balls for the Camels.

The Bobcats raced out to a 3-0 lead and held a 4-1 advantage after Maciewicz converted a free position with 19:26 remaining in the half. The Camels responded though, putting together three quick strikes over 2:39 to pull even. Mason was able to fight her way through an illegal check and finish on a nifty one-on-one move with a flag down for a goal at the 18:50 mark. Pascarelli assisted on the next two goals, connecting with Abby Hill (Stoneham, Mass.) and Hope Barone (North Kingstown, R.I.) who buried the equalizer with 16:11 to go.

The Bobcats countered with one last push before the half, scoring four of the next five goals to carry an 8-5 lead into the break. Natalie Perez (Vero Beach, Fla.) buried a free position with 11 seconds remaining to close out the first half scoring.

Gross opened the second half scoring with a goal that extended the visitors advantage to 9-5. But the Camels responded with a spirited 4-0 run. Iovanella paved the way, scoring back-to-back goals to halve the lead. With 14:37 remaining, Mason was able to overcome another Bates foul in a drive to the cage for an unassisted goal with laundry on the field. Later on with 4:15 remaining in regulation, Katelyn Driscoll put in the equalizer with a nifty looking wrap-around move from behind the Bates College goal and the teams were knotted up in a 9-9 tie.

But Bates was able to capitalize on its final possession of the game to pull out this nail-biter. Gross held on to the ball for almost a minute before making her move from behind the cage and was able to find just enough daylight to snap off a high rising shot into the back of the net for the go-ahead goal that proved to be the difference in the contest.

Bates will host Gordon College Thursday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. in Lewiston. The Camels will host Mount Holyoke College Wednesday afternoon for a 4:30 p.m. game in New London.

2009-04-04