Women’s Lacrosse Wins Season Opener in Overtime Thriller

Alyssa DeLuca led the Scarlet Hawks with six goals
Alyssa DeLuca led the Scarlet Hawks with six goals

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Illinois Tech women's lacrosse team traveled to Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday to take on Kalamazoo College for the first game of the season. The Scarlet Hawks were down 4-0 early, but managed to climb back, send the game to overtime, and defeat the Hornets 9-8.

Records

  • Tech 1-0
  • Kalamazoo 0-1

How It Happened

  • The Hawks started the game flat-footed and committed several turnovers. The Hornets managed to score four goals within the first 15 minutes of the first half.
  • Tech, though, was able to cut the lead in half by intermission as sophomore Alyssa Deluca scored two goals to make it manageable 4-2 deficit.
  • Both teams traded goals to begin the second half, but two consecutive goals by DeLuca tied the game at 5-5. The lead was short-lived, as the Hornets quickly capitalized and regained the lead 20 seconds later.
  • Tech continued to fight as another goal by DeLuca cut the deficit to one (8-7) with 7:30 left on the clock, but the outcome looked grim as the hawks were still down with one minute left. A late foul by the Hornets gave the Hawks a free position attempt, and DeLuca was able to convert as the Hawks tied the game in thrilling fashion with two seconds left in the game.
  • The three minute overtime ended as soon as it began as Isabella Rubin scored 12 seconds in, giving the Hawks the 9-8 victory.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

  • DeLuca had a fantastic start to the season scoring six goals on seven shots and causing three turnovers.
  • Rubin also had a strong start to the season, tallying two goals on five shots, one of which was the game winning goal, and winning two draw controls.
  • Sophomore Madison Meredith had a big influence on the game, scoring one goal on three total shots and tallying two assists.
  • Isabel Fitzpatrick-Meyers tallied a game-high three assists and had three shots.

Stats to Know

  • Tech outshot Kalamazoo by four, 20-16. 
  • The Hawks picked up 16 more ground balls than the Hornets (26-10).
  • Tech had seven draw controls compared to 12 for the Hornets.

Up Next

  • The Scarlet Hawks head to Monmouth College on Saturday for the first Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference game of the season. The game is scheduled to start at 12:00 p.m.