BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Kristen Tuleja scored the game-winning goal 56 seconds into a sudden-death third overtime to lift the Emmanuel College women's lacrosse team over Simmons College, 11-10, Tuesday evening at Roberto Clemente Field. The win moves Emmanuel to 4-1 overall and 4-0 in the GNAC. The Sharks fall to 4-2 on the year and 3-1 in GNAC play.
With the score deadlocked at 9-9 after regulation, Emmanuel took a 10-9 lead 59 seconds into the first overtime session as Tuleja finished a feed from freshman Abaigeal Merrigan. The Sharks responded with a free position score from junior attack Stephanie Oliveri (Waltham, Mass.) with just five seconds left in the first OT to even the score at 10-10.
A scoreless second overtime period included a pair of brilliant saves by EC sophomore goalkeeper Lauren White and forced the sudden-death period.
The Saints jumped out to a 3-0 lead but Simmons midfielder Greer Gilbert (Falmouth, Mass.) put the Sharks on the board with 18:06 left in the first half to make it 3-1. An Emmanuel score by Sarah Wootten bumped the hosts lead to 4-1 before Simmons closed the half strong, scoring four unanswered goals including a Gilbert marker with just 25 seconds left in the half to take a 5-4 lead into the intermission.
Emmanuel game out of the gates strong in the second, scoring twice to take a 6-5 lead on goals from junior Madison Altwies and Tuleja. The Sharks answered with two quick tallies from senior middie Leanne Luke (Newton, Mass.) and Oliveri to regain a 7-6 lead with 22:14 left in regulation.
A free position shot by junior middie Alexia Basile knotted the game at 7-7 with 13:53 remaining before Gilbert pulled the Sharks back on top, 8-7 with 8:22 left on the clock.
With 5:05 remaining, Tuleja found the back of the net to make it 8-8 and would then give Emmanuel a 9-8 lead with 2:54 to play in the second. Oliveri made sure that the Sharks would have a chance, scoring just 35 seconds later to account for the 9-9 score at the end of regulation.
Oliveri matched the game-high with five scores of her own for Simmons while Gilbert was just behind her with four goals and one assist.
White earned the win for EC making nine saves while junior goalkeeper Crystal Derosier (Kingston, Mass.) played well for the Sharks, making eight saves.
Emmanuel returns to action on Thursday when they head to Nichols College for a 7:00 PM non-conference game while Simmons is idle until Saturday when they visit Lasell College for a GNAC showdown in a rematch of last year's championship at 12:00 PM.