#B1GCats Win Overtime Thriller over Johns Hopkins, 10-9

3/30/2017 10:00:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

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By: Kyle Kelley

EVANSTON, Ill. — Battle until the final whistle blows and you've got a shot.

Northwestern did just that Thursday night at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium, scoring the game-tying goal as time expired in regulation before netting the game winner just 59 seconds into overtime to defeat Big Ten foe Johns Hopkins, 10-9.

The Wildcats (6-5, 2-0 Big Ten) trailed with 40 seconds to play, 9-8, when the Blue Jays (8-4, 0-3 Big Ten) stepped out of bounds and turned it over. Sophomore Claire Quinn was called for a false start, but immediately caused a turnover on the ensuing Jays' possession to give the 'Cats a chance. Chicago's Big Ten Team worked the ball up field to junior captain Sheila Nesselbush and a foul was called with .2 seconds remaining on the clock.

Nesselbush calmly fired a shot that beat the Hopkins keeper and chaos ensued. The initial call was that Nesselbush's goal failed to cross the goal line in time, but the call was changed after a meeting between the three refs, tying the game at 9-9 and sending it to overtime.

In overtime, senior Christina Esposito lived up to her 'Captain Clutch' nickname she has so often earned this season as she scored the game-winning goal on a free-position attempt just 59 seconds in session to give the Wildcats their third victory in a row.

Game. Winner. #B1GCats https://t.co/FutyXREVWc
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) March 31, 2017

Prior to the craziness of the final 40 seconds, the game was truly a tale of two halves as the Wildcats dominated the first 30 minutes and the Blue Jays punched back in the second half. Northwestern scored the first four goals of the game opened the contest on a 7-1 run to build a commanding lead.

Esposito started the scoring just 28 seconds into the game and found classmate Catie Ingrilli six minutes later to extend the lead 2-0. Another goal by Ingrilli and great feed from junior Shelby Fredericks to freshman Megan Kinna capped the early 4-0 run.

After a goal by Shannon Fitzgerald with 12:44 to play in the first half, NU reeled off three-straight starting with Esposito's second of the night. Sophomore Liza Elder scored for the sixth time in her last four games and senior Danita Stroup found the back of the net for the 18th time this season to extend the lead to 7-1.

Johns Hopkins began its comeback with two goals to close the first half and scored the first two goals of the second half. Sophomore defender Nell Copeland went the length of the field and scored her first career goal with 19:08 to play to extend the lead back to three, 8-5, but it was the last goal fo the 'Cats before Nesselbush's game winner.

Esposito led the Wildcats with four points in three goals and an assist, while Ingrilli scored a pair of goals for the fourth time this season. Quinn had a career-high six caused turnovers to lead all players and Fredericks finished with a game-high six draw controls.

Northwestern wraps up its three-game homestand on Sunday when it plays host to No. 11 Penn. Opening draw is schedule for noon.