Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
4-2
Michigan
5-4
Buffs Storm Back, Defeat Michigan In Double-Overtime
March 22, 2015 | Lacrosse
ANN ARBOR – The University of Colorado lacrosse team erased a five-goal deficit late in the second half on Sunday as the Buffaloes went on to defeat the Michigan Wolverines 14-13 in double-overtime.
With the score tied 13-13 after the first overtime period, freshman Darby Kiernan netted the game-winner just over one minute into the second overtime. For Kiernan it was her career-high fifth goal of the game and second career game-winner.
“It was a great game,” said Colorado head coach Ann Elliott. “Overall, I think both teams played extremely hard. Darby had a great game for us. She was solid throughout, coming up with big plays and in general, our offense was able to pick it up in the end.”
In the first half, the Buffs were able to keep pace with the Wolverines, holding an early 2-1 advantage and then tied it at 4-4 with goals from Kiernan and sophomore Johnna Fusco just before intermission.
After halftime, Colorado struggled offensively, only scoring one goal in 22 minutes and saw Michigan take a commanding 11-6 lead. With just 7:21 remaining on the game clock, CU took the opportunity to regroup during a TV timeout and that's when Elliott delivered a strong message to her team.
“We told our kids they have to dig down and believe they can come back,” said Elliott. “They have to believe and then they have to make things happen one step at a time.”
The players heard Elliott's message and outscored Michigan 6-1 in the final five minutes to force overtime. Kiernan notched her fourth goal of the match to jumpstart the rally and make it 11-7. Then with a man-up opportunity, Cali Castagnola off an assist from Katie Macleay, found the back of the net for the first time on Sunday afternoon to cut Michigan's lead to three. Freshman Blair Sisk followed, scoring on a free-position shot, making it 11-9.
Michigan's Lauren Oberlander, who led the Wolverines with four goals, interrupted the Buffs' flurry of scoring to put her team up 12-9 with 1:29 to play, but CU responded, completing the comeback by rattling off three straight. Sophomore Marie Moore made it 12-10 and four seconds later CU won the draw control and Katie Macleay sprinted down the field to trim Michigan's lead to one with only 1:03 remaining in regulation. Sisk came through with 19 ticks left on the clock to tie it at 12-12.
The Buffs had fought their way back and were not going to let the victory slip out of their hands.
“When we went into overtime, it was simple,” Elliott said. “We have been in overtime before. A lot of those kids on the field had been there last year a bunch of times. I told them we worked too hard. They worked too hard those last five minutes to give it away.”
In the first overtime period, Colorado jumped out in front, 13-12 when Sisk was able to convert an 8-meter shot. Sisk finished with three goals, her second of the season. After the goal, Fusco and Sisk were each issued a yellow card, giving Michigan a two-man advantage. The Buffs maintained their composure, only allowing one goal, which led to the sudden-victory period. Goalkeeper Paige Soenksen who made eight saves in the game, came up with two critical stops during that stretch.
“When we went down the couple players with the yellow cards, I thought our defense and our kids at that point really believed,” said Elliott. “They dug deep and we got the stops we needed to and were able to push it to sudden victory overtime. Then once we got to that point, we have been there before, too (last season), so our kids knew how important draw controls were. We did a good job fighting for it and we were able to execute.”
That's when Kiernan put the exclamation point on her best performance of her young career with the game-winner, as Colorado left “The Big House” with its first road victory of the season.
CU improves to 4-2 on the year while Michigan falls to 5-4 and 0-3 in overtime games.
The Buffaloes continue their three-game road trip on Wednesday, March 25 when they travel to No. 3 Boston College. Game time is set for 2 p.m. MT.
