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AU Wins Overtime Thriller With Lehigh, 10-9
Zaweski scores game-winning goal with four seconds left

March 22, 2003 | Stats

Katy Zaweski scored with four seconds reamining as AU topped Lehigh in overtime.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- For the second time this season, the American University women's lacrosse team won an overtime game by scoring with less than five seconds remaining as the Eagles (6-2, 3-0 PL) defeated Lehigh (4-1, 0-1 PL), 10-9 in overtime. Gina Riitano assisted Katy Zaweski on the game-winning goal with four seconds remaining in the second half of overtime.

Moriah Linnell had one of her best games as an Eagle with two goals and an assist. Nadia Harmsen, Nicole McCarthy and Riitano all added two goals as well. Kathleen Finnegan played a great game in goal, saving 16 shots.

Lehigh jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first half as the Eagles were held to their lowest output of the season. Harmsen scored AU's only goal off a feed from Tara Michael. Finnegan made nine saves in the first half to help keep the Eagles in the game.

AU started strong in the second half as Becky Copeland scored off an assist by Linnell. The Mountain Hawks scored their fifth goal of the game before the Eagles began a run of four straight goals to claim the lead. McCarthy netted the first goal for AU before Linnell scored on a free position shot and an unassisted goal. Lynn Brandon found McCarthy with 11:35 remaining as the Eagles took their first lead of the game, 6-5.

Jen Fleming scored her third goal of the game to tie the match with 9:09 to play. Sarah Starsoneck put the Mountain Hawks up 7-6 on an unassisted goal three minutes later. Riitano tied the match 30 seconds later on a free position shot. The Mountain Hawks struck back quickly as Ella Studdiford scored. Riitano forced a a turnover and scored to tie the game yet again at eight. A Harmsen goal with 2:12 left put the Eagles back on top, 9-8. Fleming tied the game with 57 seconds remaining on her fourth goal of the contest to force overtime.

In the first half of overtime, Finnegan made two huge saves with under a minute remaining to keep the game knotted at nine. In the second half of overtime, AU held posession for most of the period before the Mountain Hawks took the ball away. Riitano forced a turnover with 12 seconds remaining and carried it towards the goal. She found Zaweski who scored the game-winning goal with four seconds remaining.

AU returns to Reeves Field to host La Salle on Tuesday. The match begins at 3:30 p.m.