MEDFORD - Williams College senior tri-captain Elizabeth Pierce (Wilmington, DE) scored with 1:44 remaining in the sudden victory overtime period to lift the Ephs to a dramatic 13-12 NESCAC victory at Tufts in women's lacrosse action on Saturday afternoon.

Pierce's goal spoiled a valiant comeback by the Jumbos. Williams (1-0) dominated play early and led 8-2 just 17 minutes into the game. Trailing 10-4 early in the second half, Tufts (1-1) scored four straight goals to close within 10-8. After a Williams goal, the Jumbos scored three times in the final three minutes to tie the score at 11-11. Sophomore Courtney Thomas (Needham, MA) scored the game-tying goal with 1:08 remaining in the second half.

In the first overtime period, the Jumbos struck first on a free-position shot by Thomas. It was she and junior Sarah Williams (Bethesda, MD) who led the Tufts comeback. They combined to score the last five Tufts goals. However, Williams All-American Kaylan Tildsley (Andover, MA) scooped up a loose ball in front of the Tufts net and fired in a shot with nine seconds remaining to tie the score at 12-12. Pierce won it for the Ephs 1:16 into the sudden victory period off a pass from sophomore Meighan McGowan (Greenwich, CT).

The loss overshadowed an excellent performance in goal by Tufts senior Tracy Rittenour (Duxbury, MA), who came on in relief and made 10 saves while allowing only five of the goals in 50 minutes of action. Three goals each by Thomas and Williams led Tufts, while freshman Jenna Abelli (Framingham, MA) and senior co-captain Lauren Murphy (Hingham, MA) scored two apiece.

Tildsley scored three goals with four assists to lead Williams in its first game of the season. McGowan, Pierce and sophomore Britt Spackman (Newton, MA) also had three goals in the game. Senior Abby Taylor (Evanston, IL) earned the win in net with 13 saves and was particularly good in the first half.

Williams (1-0, 1-0 NESCAC) 8 3 1 1 = 13
Tufts (1-1, 0-1 NESCAC) 4 7 1 0 = 12

GOALS:
T, Courtney Thomas 3, Sarah Williams 3, Jenna Abelli 2, Lauren Murphy 2, Maya Shoham 1, Jackie Thomas 1.
W, Meighan McGowan 3, Kaylan Tildsley 3, Britt Spackman 3, Elizabeth Pierce 3, Sara duPont 1.

ASSISTS:
T, Alyssa Corbett 2, Williams 1.
W, Tildsley 4, Stacy Adkins 3, Spackman 2, McGowan 1.

GOALIES:
T, Gillian Kline (17:05 - 8 GA) 3 saves, Tracy Rittenour (50:11 - 5 GA) 10 saves.
W, Abby Taylor (67:16 -12 GA) 13 saves.

2007-03-17