Spartanburg, S.C. - The Converse College Valkyries lost another hard fought battle Saturday afternoon, March 13 to Edinboro University by a score of 16-15 in overtime.
Converse's scoring was lead again by Lacey Bevilacqua (Carlsbad, CA.) and Bridget Dullea (Peabody,MD.) with six and five goals respectively. Edinboro's scoring was evenly distributed with Lauren Kincaid, Rebecca Zajac, and Shelby Will scoring three apiece. Will's most important goal would come with 19 seconds left in overtime.
The Scots opened the first four minutes with three consecutive goals before Valkyries attacker, Lacey Bevilacqua was able to score her first goal eight minutes into the first half. Edinboro was able to control most of the first half with balanced scoring ending with Rebecca Zajac's first goal and Leeanne Stickle's second assist with 5:18 left on the clock. With the score at 4-7, the Valkyries refused to go into the second half with such a deficit. Bevilacqua added two more goals along with freshman attacker, Bridget Dullea adding one. The half ended with freshman Cassie Fara (Simpsonville, SC) scoring on a free position shot with only 10 seconds remaining and giving Converse their first lead.
The second half opened with both teams scoring evenly although the Valkyries were quickly forced to give up the lead until exciting late-half heroics pushed the game into overtime. Lacey Bevilacqua and Bridget Dullea traded goals for the Valkyries until the Scot's moved in on a three goal drive. The scoring drive was ignited by Leeanne Stickle's second goal with 11 minutes left in the half.
With a tied game at 12 and only 1:28 on the clock, freshman attacker Rebecca Zajac would turn the tide in favor of the Scots, earning her team a 12-13 advantage. Capitalizing on the surge of momentum, freshman defender, Alyssa Savitz (Orlando, FL.) scored a much needed goal after rolling the crease to help keep the Valkyries' hopes alive. Despite a fleeting attempt by the Valkyries to add another goal and avoid overtime, the Scots' defense stymied Converse's scoring efforts.
Overtime opened with both teams scoring efforts shut down early. The Scots eventually drew first blood with only 30 seconds left in the first overtime half on sophomore Lauren Kincaid's unassisted goal. However, last minute efforts would again provide life for the Valkyries. With only 0.2 seconds left on the clock, Dullea scored her fifth goal to tie the match back up.
The Scots' Zajac added her last goal in the second overtime with the Valkyries adding one of their own on Brianna Hoffman's only score of the match. In the end, Edinboro captured the advantage when the freshman midfielder, Shelby Will, scored with only 19 seconds left in the match. After a Valkyrie timeout, the Scots were able to shut the door on the Valkyries, leaving the score at 16-15.
Edinboro's senior goalie, Julie McAvoy, had twelve saves in the game while the Valkyries' freshman, Molly Donaghue, had ten saves in the loss.
With slippery field conditions factoring in for both teams, Converse dominated the groundballs with 23 while Edinboro was only able to scoop up 11. The Valkyries were also able to force 12 of the Scot's 24 turnovers. Draw control was relatively even with the Scot's controlling 19 draws and the Valkyries winning 17.
The Valkyries take the field again when they visit Erskine College on Wednesday, March 17.
