DANVILLE, Virginia – The College of Wooster women's lacrosse team's impressive start to the 2023 season hit its first road bump on Tuesday evening, 
as host Averett University stormed back with six unanswered goals in the final 8:50 of regulation, then scored in overtime to hand the Fighting Scots an 18-17 loss at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
Averett's (5-0) Elizabeth Peasley dodged around a Wooster (6-1) defender, found a crease in the defensive coverage while driving towards the goal, then fired the game-winner into the lower left corner from about seven yards out. Peasley tracked down the crucial draw control at overtime's onset, and her 34th goal of the year came 36 ticks into the extra stanza.
Wooster, which was one of three NCAA Div. III teams with an undefeated men's and women's lacrosse program entering the day, was looking to up its record to 7-0 for the second straight season. Coincidentally, overtime was needed last year for the Scots to do just that, with Wooster topping Trine University 12-11 to get to 7-0. Tuesday's game was trending towards a 7-0 start, as sophomore Kaitlyn McBride's goal with 11:05 to go in regulation had Wooster up 17-11. However, that was the Scots' last score of the night. Later, Averett's Raven Felder netted a free-position score with 13 seconds left in regulation to cap the 6-0 comeback.
Prior to the game-tying score, Wooster sophomore Ashley Reynolds made two of her five saves, including one that came on Peasley's free-position shot with 2:59 remaining. Wooster eventually worked the ball into the attacking end with just north of two minutes on the clock. Rylie Leadore caused a turnover with just outside a minute to go, but Wooster regained possession when senior Jill Murray forced a Porsha Davis turnover. Senior Britta Treu scooped up the groundball with about 39 seconds left in regulation, but Averett took possession back following a turnover in the final 30 seconds.
Murray was tops among Wooster's players in the scoring column at four goals and an assist. Senior Hannah Shaw and sophomore Kenzie Morris combined for 13 of the Scots' 19 draw controls, and Shaw is now 11 draw controls away from the career program record. Treu's three groundballs were the high mark among the Scots, as were the senior's two caused turnovers.
Felder and Peasley combined for 13 of Averett's 18 goals, with Felder having eight alone. The goalkeeping play of Kaylee Joblon was crucial for the Cougars, as she finished with 13 saves on the night, enabling Averett to overcome a 42-30 shortcoming on shot attempts. Faith Bowlin was another of Averett's key players with 11 draw controls and four goals.
Free-position goals played a key role in the game, with Averett finishing with an 8-4 lead. The Cougar had 20 groundballs to the Scots' 12, while Wooster was 16-of-18 on clear attempts to the hosts' 18-of-27.
Next, Wooster returns home for a noon contest on Saturday, March 25 against Illinois Wesleyan University (2-6). The game will take place at Triway High School.
photo by Samantha Harris '25