SELINSGROVE, PA (March 25, 2023) – The Landmark Conference opener for Susquehanna women's lacrosse held plenty of drama and strong play, but the end result ultimately went in favor of visiting Drew University, as the Rangers scored a game-winner in the final seconds of the first overtime period to win 12-11.

The visitors started fast, scoring the opening goal less than two minutes into the game. SU would respond through Kelsey Homberg nearly five minutes later, tying the game with the first of what would be three total goals for the junior. Drew would then seize momentum, scoring three unanswered goals over the next three-and-a-half minutes before Homberg finally pulled one back on an assist from Liv Owen. But Drew scored twice more before the period ended compared to just one more tally for SU, this from Abby Andrus, making the score 6-3 in Drew's favor going into the second period.

The River Hawks pushed back to start the quarter, netting twice in the first two minutes, including a woman-down goal by Hannah McNamara, who was assisted by Heather Riefenhauser, one of her season-high five assists. However, with the gap back at one goal, Drew clamped down to hold Susquehanna scoreless for nearly 18 minutes from the second quarter into the start of the third. The Rangers scored twice before half time to restore a three-goal advantage.

The cold spell ended for the River Hawks with 10:42 left in the third, as Owen put one in the net to make the score 8-6. Drew answered right back less than a minute later, but the River Hawks would then score two in a row through Owen and Riefenhauser to get back within one. A late goal for Drew made the score 10-8 with 2:53 left in the third, where it would stay until 12:31 in the fourth quarter as McNamara netted her second goal. SU tied the game for the first time since the opening quarter just over a minute later, as Caitlin Harvey scored on Riefenhauser's fifth helper. The Rangers reclaimed the lead at the 9:55 mark, but the River Hawks had another answer, tying the game again with 6:04 left on a free-position shot by Allie Kutler. The scored remained 11 apiece as neither team could beat the goalies in regulation, and overtime proved the same for much of the period.

The goalies on each side had some outstanding saves down the stretch, with Drew's Anna Horne tallying nine saves in the game, while Aerin O'Brien matched that tally of nine after entering to start the second quarter. The first-year had some heroics on multiple occasions, including a clutch save on a free-position shot for Drew with the game tied in the fourth quarter. But that stonewalling finally came to an end in the waning seconds of the first overtime period, as Drew managed to net the winner through Lizzy Barrett, who had a game-high four goals and scored the winner after curling around the right side of the SU net to score with just 1.9 seconds left on the clock.

O'Brien was stuck with the loss despite her strong performance, with the first-year also leading the team with seven groundballs. Homberg's three goals led the River Hawks, while Riefenhauser finished with a goal and five assists for six points. Lizzy Povalski, another first-year, came through with a team-leading four caused turnovers, while Homberg and Madi Mitchell had three each.

SU now sits at 6-4 overall and starts 0-1 in the Landmark, but will have a chance to get back to even in a week, as they'll visit #24 Catholic University on Saturday, April 1 for a 1 pm start.

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--RIVER HAWKS--