Warriors win first OT game ever, edge Lexington 14-13
WARRIOR PLAYERS Sarah Grady (#13), Jessica Vinciguerra (#20) and Kelsey Czarnota (#3) run up the field. Czarnota scored three goals including the game-winner in overtime while Vinciguerra scored two goals in Wakefield’s 14-13 overtime victory over Lexington yesterday at Landrigan Field.
(Donna Larsson File Photo)
Published in the May 17, 2016 edition.
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Memorial High girls’ lacrosse team is having its best season in the history of the program. But one of the things that the Warriors hadn’t accomplished was an overtime win.
In fact, Wakefield has never played an overtime game before since girls’ lacrosse didn’t install the extra session until this season.
That was until yesterday afternoon when Wakefield scored with 25 seconds left in the three minute sudden death overtime to pull out a thrilling 14-13 overtime victory over Lexington at Landrigan Field.
The Warriors increased their record to 11-3 overall on the season and 5-3 in the Middlesex League Freedom division.
Wakefield junior Kelsey Czarnota netted the game-winner in the remaining seconds of the extra session going 1-on-1 with the Lexington goalie. Czarnota scored after being awarded the ball on a foul by Lexington.
Czarnota was one of three Warriors who had hat tricks. Senior Julianne Bourque and sophomore Julia Brown were the other two.
Wakefield trailed 7-5 at halftime and the two teams were tied at 13-13 at the end of regulation.
Lexington scored with 48 seconds left in the second half to take a 13-12 lead. But Brown took the draw and won it and tallied the tying goal with five seconds left to send the game into overtime.
“With 48 seconds left in the game Lexington scored to make it 12-13 Lexington. The next draw was the most important draw because we had to win the ball and attack the net,” said Coach Cara Luca. “Julia Brown took the draw and won it. With five seconds left on the clock Julia took a shot and got a goal to tie it up 13-13. We went into overtime. This is new this year. Overtime is three minutes and first goal wins.
“I will truly remember this game. My heart was racing the whole time. We have never played in overtime before and it was so exciting to watch and see them (Wakefield) come out on top,” added Luca. “We have a great momentum going. We play Burlington tomorrow night at Burlington then Friday we are away at Watertown. (Both are) Two huge divisional games.”
Czarnota, Bourque and Brown also added an assist as they led the offensive with four point efforts.
Jessica Vinciguerra, a senior, scored two goals, while senior Brianna Smith, junior Emily Ryan and senior Isa Cusack scored once.
Mikayla White, a senior, played in goal in the first half and made three saves. Bianca Passacantilli, a senior, played in the second had and made two saves. White re-entered the game for the overtime session and made one save during that time.
“Words cannot express how happy I am for these girls today. Wakefield was on fire,” said Luca.
The contest was a thriller throughout the 52 minutes and 35 seconds played.
“We came off strong again at the beginning of the game and we scored the first goal. Lexington answered a minute later. It was a back-and-forth game,” said Luca. “We played great defense and played great offense in the eight meter today. (In the) Second half we were up 10-6 and Lexington answered (with) three quick goals to bring it to a one goal deficit.
I called a timeout to regroup the girls and focus on how far we have come in today’s game,” continued Luca. “The score again went back-and-forth. Wakefield was on its toes. These girls have put so much energy into this game they were ready for overtime. Lexington won the draw in overtime. Lexington took the ball down and shot on net but Mikayla White came up with a big save. Wakefield now had the ball and brought it down to Lexington’s end. We moved the ball around making cuts but couldn’t capitalize. Kelsey Czarnota was awarded the ball on a foul by Lexington. With 25 seconds left in overtime Kelsey went 1 vs. 1 and shot for a goal.”
The Warriors get right back on the field tonight when it faces Burlington at Varsity Field with a 7 p.m. start.
