SWARTHMORE, Pa. - After heading into the half 6-6, the Swarthmore women's lacrosse team (6-2, 2-1 CC) pulled off a thrilling victory, edging the McDaniel Green Terror (4-5, 1-2) by a score of 13-12 on a chilly evening at Clothier Field.
The Green Terror's offense was anchored by senior Chelsea Watkins who scored four goals and had one assist. Freshman Danielle Entrot added three goals.
Despite an early goal from Penikis in the second minute of play, the Garnet found themselves in a deep hole after McDaniel scored five goals in the first eleven minutes of play, going down 5-1.
But the Garnet took full advantage of McDaniel fouls and answered with four goals of their own. Martin scored off a free position shot in the 15th minute and Vanchieri following in similar fashion, scoring a beautiful transition goal in the 17th minute.
Penikis scored an unassisted goal soon after freshman Sara Lentricchia snagged a crucial ground ball. Minutes later, Penikis was right back in the action, assisting Sipperly in the 21st minute to tie the game 5-5.
Entrot scored late for the Green Terror, but Penikis would put one in the net with less than twenty seconds left in the half, taking a 6-6 tie to the locker room.
Mutryn started things off for the Garnet in the second half with a blazing goal off of a free position shot in the 2nd minute.
She was followed by teammates Sommi and Penikis who scored unassisted goals in the 5th and 6th minute, respectively.
Back and forth play ensued, started by a goal from McDaniel's Watkins in the 12th minute to lower the Garnet's lead to two, 9-7.
But Mutryn soon found the back of the net off another assist from Penikis in the 14th minute to put the Garnet ahead 10-7.
Less than a minute later, McDaniel answered back with a goal off of a free position shot, something that would frustrate the Garnet defense all night.
The Garnet refused to yield and they soon scored off of a beautiful transition. Vachieri placed one perfectly for Whitacre, who scored in the 18th minute.
McDaniel scored two goals in less than a minute to cut the Garnet's lead to one, making the game 11-10 in favor of the Garnet.
In the 20th minute, Mowry and Penikis connected for a goal to give the Garnet some insurance, but they soon saw their lead vanish as the Green Terror scored two unassisted goals in the 21st and the 24th minute, leaving the game at 12-12.
Fittingly, it would be Penikis who would have the last word, scoring the game winner in the 26th minute.
Thanks to some gritty defense and savy coaching, the Garnet held on to the ball for the final two and a half minutes of play to pick up the crucial Centennial Conference victory 13-12.
Sophomore goalie Michelle Ammerman was solid in goal with seven saves. It took a collective defensive effort to stymie the Green Terror.
The women hope to keep the momentum going when they face Immaculata University on Thursday, March 29th. Action is slated for 6:00 p.m.
