NEW LONDON, Conn.--Sarah Orkin (West Hartford, Conn.) netted three goals and assisted on two more as Wesleyan University (6-8, 3-6) escaped with a 13-12 victory against Connecticut College (4-10, 0-9) in a wild shootout in New London. Orkin scored the goal that proved to be the difference in the contest with 6:01 remaining in regulation.

Junior Erin McCarthy (Ridgefield, Conn.) added four goals in the victory for the Cardinals. Charlotte Hastings (Taftsville, Vt.) chipped in with three scores.

With the victory and results of other conference action Friday, the Cardinals clinched a berth in the 2009 NESCAC Championship as the #7 seed. Wesleyan will visit second seeded Colby this Sunday afternoon for a noon-time NESCAC Quarterfinal match-up in Waterville, Maine.

Connecticut College freshmen Hope Barone (North Kingstown, R.I.) and Ali Iovanella (Mantoloking, N.J.) each contributed hat-tricks in the regular season finale. Emily Mason (Williamstown, Mass.) tallied two goals, one assist and five ground balls. Junior Kristen Dirmaier (South Burlington, Vt.) corralled a game-high eight ground balls from her defensive post.

The two teams kept it close in the early stages of this longstanding rivalry. With 16:03 remaining in the first stanza, the Camels forced the third tie of the contest at four. Abby Hill (Stoneham, Mass.) set up the score, collecting a ground ball and hitting Mason in front of the cage for a one-timer. However, the Cardinals scored four of the last five goals in the half to carry an 8-5 lead into the intermission. Hastings keyed the run with two quick strikes that were scored 20 seconds apart.

Katelyn Driscoll (Peabody, Mass.) opened the second half with a goal for the Camels. On the ensuing possession, Hastings won the draw control and sprinted straight to the cage for a fast break goal. The Cardinals took their largest lead of the day at 10-6 on an Orkin tally at the 25:52 mark.

Undeterred, the Camels stormed back with a spirited 4-0 run. Mason buried the equalizer with 9:23 remaining for the hosts and the two sides were all even again in a 10-10 tie. But Wesleyan recovered, scoring the next two goals to take a 12-10 advantage. Claire Hunter (Ivy, Va.) put the visitors on top for good with a one-timer on a feed from Allie Lynch (Greenwich, Conn.). McCarthy added an insurance marker with 8:12 to play.

In the closing moments, the Camels made one last push to tie the game. Paige Pascarelli (Wayne, Pa.) broke a Wesleyan clear with a minute left, and fired one home to make it a 13-12 game with 53.7 seconds left.

Connecticut College had a shot to tie the game in the closing moments but Maggie Drowica (Glen Head, N.Y.) was able to come up with a critical stop. Drowica had 13 saves in the second half of action. Abby Sedney (Upper St. Clair, Pa.) made seven saves in the first stanza for the Cardinals.

Connecticut College sophomore Rachel Nelson (Denver, Colo.) had seven saves in the first half for the hosts. Jenna Ross (Longmeadow, Mass.) added two saves in the second half of play.

2009-04-25