Box Score

Oberlin, Ohio - Bronwen Schumacher broke an 8-8 tie with 24 second left to play and then Molly Bloom added another score in the final seconds, as the Oberlin College women's lacrosse team knocked off the Gators of Allegheny College, 10-8, on Saturday afternoon at Fred Shults Field.

The win is one of the biggest in the recent history of the women's lacrosse program as it is Oberlin's first victory against a North Coast Athletic Conference opponent since 2007 when the Yeowomen beat the Wittenberg Tigers 14-7 on April 7.

“I can not be more proud of my kids today,” first-year Head Coach Jacqueline McDevitt said. “We played with discipline smarts and hustle. Every aspect of our game was perfect. We came out firing and never looked back.”

The closing moments of the game were extremely thrilling as Jodi Helsel came through a with great defensive play to force a turnover with just 37 second left to play, which ended a long run of possession by the Gators. With the numbers in their favor, the Yeowomen quickly worked the ball down the field as Helsel found Schumacher on the back post for what proved to be the game-winning goal.

However, with 24 seconds remaining work was still left to be done, but Schumacher came through with a clutch draw control. After working most of the clock down, Oberlin elected to take one last shot as Kate Hanick found Bloom all alone on the far side and she did the rest by sending a rifle shot into the back of the cage.

Ilyssa Meyer led the potent offensive attack with three goals to go along with three ground balls. Schumacher finished with two scores in the game.

Oberlin jumped on the Gators right from the start as goals by Schumacher, Sarah Andrews and Meyer made a 3-0 just five-and-half minutes into the game. Following a score by the Gators, Meyer and Phoebe Hammer would answer right back with a pair of goals, each of which were assisted by Hanick.

Allegheny cashed in two free-position goals to cut its deficit to 5-3, but Bloom would respond with an 8-meter finish of her own. The Gators would add one final score of the half, but Oberlin went into the locker room with a 6-4 lead.

The Yeowomen netted two of the first three scores of the second half to go up 8-5 with 19:14 left to play. However, Allegheny came roaring back with three straight goals to tie the game at eight with 15:24 remaining to set the stage for the game-ending heroics.

The Gators had their opportunities down the stretch to take the lead, but their best came with just 2:58 left to play as Kelly Dickson's trigger hit square off the post. All-in-all Allegheny had four shots go off either the post or crossbar in the game.

The Gators edged the Yeowomen 21-18 in total shots and won the ground ball battle 21-14. Draw controls were even at 10 apiece.

The Yeowomen, who are now 10-2 overall and 1-2 in the NCAC, have tied for the most wins in a season since 1999 when they finished 10-7.

Oberlin returns to action on Tuesday night at Thiel College. The opening draw is set for 6 p.m.