SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Converse Lacrosse team dropped a dramatic overtime contest to rival Columbia in the Valkyries' season opener on a rainy Tuesday evening, 13-12.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Converse 12, Columbia 13

RECORDS | Converse 0-1, Columbia 1-0

LOCATION | Spartanburg, S.C. (Fulp Field)

INSIDE THE LINES

Laura Starkes led the Valkyries with a career-high six goals.  Starkes joins the ranks of few that have produced six or more goals.  Starkes produced the third most goals in a single contest.

Aubrie Lauderdale and Elizabeth Gabriele notch two goals apiece.  Laura Starkes tallied two assist, while Gabriele recorded one.

Jessi Walters suffers the loss in cage stopping six shots.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st Half

Converse jumped out ahead early in the contest with Elizabeth Gabriele recording the first goal of the season just 1:28 into the contest for the Valkyries early 1-0 lead.

Columbia bounced back with two goals of their own before back-to-back goals by Laura Starkes handed the lead back to the Valkyries.

Aubrie Lauderdale and Maria Knott gave the Valkyries a 5-3 lead with under eight minutes to play in the half.

Laura Starkes netted a first half hat-trick with an unassisted goal with 3:30 remaining in the half to lead 6-4.

Converse led 6-5 heading into the second half.

2nd Half

Elizabeth Gabriele netted her second goal off the assist from Laura Starkes to open up the second half.

Columbia countered with six straight goals to take the lead away from Converse midway through the half up 11-7.

Ashlei Alston stopped the Koala run with an unassisted goal with 12:02.  Columbia would score their final goal of regulation with 10:20 to play, leading 12-8.

Aubrie Lauderdale scored on a free position shot with under nine minutes to spark a Converse rally.  Laura Starkes would even the score up with another hat-trick in the second half over the span of 2:04.

Columbia would get the ball back with 14.4 seconds remaining in regulation.  The Koalas reached the 8m arc for a free position attempt, but Jessi Walters knocked the potential game-winner out of harms way.

Overtime

Columbia would find the back of the net midway through the first overtime for the golden goal and take the contest 13-12.

UP NEXT

The Valkyries will travel to Young Harris for a non-conference bout on Saturday, February 11.  Opening draw is at 2pm.