Stylc’s goal lifts Wesleyan lacrosse to OT win at Hood

Frederick, MD - North Carolina Wesleyan’s Allie Stylc scored what proved to be the game-winning goal just 1:27 into the overtime period, lifting her Lady Bishop lacrosse squad to a hard-fought 12-10 victory at Hood College on Sunday.  The win marks the first road victory in the program’s brief history.  The Bishops, who lost to Shenandoah on Saturday, are now 3-11 on the season.  Stylc (pictured) finished the game with four goals and an assist.

Hood had taken a 5-4 lead into intermission, and goals by Laurie Burrier and Liz Rakowski early in the second half pushed Hood's advantage to 7-4.  Wesleyan, however, stormed back with four straight scores, two each by Buffy Casto and Stylc, to regain the lead at 8-7.

Burrier's second goal of the day brought the Blazers even again at the 25:27 mark, but Casto scored on a free position shot with 1:53 remaining in regulation to give the Bishops a 9-8 lead.  It was shortlived, however, as Hood's Laura Pitts answered with a free position goal of her own with just 59 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

Wesleyan quickly took control with three goals in the first half of the extra session. Sarah Smith netted an unassisted goal just 1:06 into action, and Stylc scored just 21 seconds later before Casto notched the Bishops’ 12th goal.

Casto finished the day with six goals and three assists to go along with Stylc’s four scores.  Additionally, Haley Griffiths and Smith each had a goal and an assist for the Lady Bishops.  Hood’s Pitts tallied three goals and an assist to pace the Blazers.

NCWC’s Cary Trump made 15 saves to earn the victory in goal. Lauren Lieb stopped seven shots in the loss.

On Saturday, Shenandoah University used a quick start to propel itself to a 21-5 USA South Conference women's lacrosse victory over visiting Wesleyan.  Shenandoah (5-7, 2-3 USA South) scored four goals in the first 4:35 of the.

It took just 27 seconds for the Hornets to get on the board as Joia Davis converted off of an Erika Bradd feed. Bradd scored 28 seconds later before Jenn Iuliano and Kelly Matagiese made it 4-0 with goals at 25:53 and 25:25.

Buffy Casto finally snapped this string for first-year NCWC with the first of her four goals at 22:44, but the Hornets reeled off seven more tallies to take an 11-4 lead into the break.  The Bishops would get no closer than seven the rest of the way.

Matagiese and Iuliano led all scorers with five goals each while Davis added four with three assists. Casto had four and Sarah Smith one for the Lady Bishops.

Wesleyan will close out its regular season and conference schedule on Saturday when the Lady Bishops host Averett University at 1:00 p.m.  Saturday will serve as Parent’s Day.

Parts of this story courtesy of SU and Hood Sports Information...