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NORFOLK, Va. - Down 7-2 late in the first half going into a lightning delay, the Old Dominion University women's lacrosse team exploded for seven consecutive goals and went on a 13-2 run to end the game, to stun William and Mary and tie up the annual Optima Health Challenge on Tuesday night at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex with a 15-9 victory.
In a game played with heavy rain and wind for much of the contest, the Tribe were able to take advantage for most of the first half in the league opener for both teams. With 3:42 remaining to halftime, the game went into a 15-minute lightning delay right after William and Mary (1-3, 0-1) scored their seventh goal of the half.
Old Dominion (1-2, 1-0) was able to get on the board before halftime coming out of the delay on junior attacker Emily Austerberry's first goal of the season as the Lady Monarchs then reeled off six straight goals to start the second half to take a 9-7 lead before the Tribe got on the board with 15:32 left to play to cut the deficit to one goal. ODU then answered with four straight goals to build a five-goal advantage late into the contest to pull away.
Playing in her first game of the season, Austerberry scored four goals and registered two assists in her debut while sophomore midfielder Ashmore Standing scored a game-high five goals and earned three draw controls to power the ODU offense.
Sophomore midfielder Christina Rea scored a pair of goals for the Lady Monarchs and also collected a team-high four draw controls while junior defender Kallie McCormick had a goal and a pair of assists. Senior attacker Meredith Rogers, freshman attacker Rachel Shaw and sophomore attacker Jess Liberty all scored for the Lady Monarchs as well. Senior defenders Alexandra Burns and Carolyn Burns each collected four ground balls to led ODU's defensive effort that held the Tribe to just two second half goals. Sophomore goalkeeper Karen Hayde gathered five saves and a pair of ground balls.
For the Tribe, Jenna Dougherty, Kaleigh Noon and Kyrstin Mackrides all chipped in two goals apiece while Colleen Nofia posted seven saves in goal for William and Mary.
The win is ODU's second straight comeback win over William and Mary, as they used a strong second half a year ago in Williamsburg to down the Tribe, 14-10. It also ties the annual Optima Health Challenge up in 2012-13 at 45-45 with only men's and women's tennis and baseball remaining this school year.
Old Dominion heads back on the road for three of their next four games beginning Saturday when they take on Jacksonville University at 11:30 a.m.
Follow ODU Lacrosse on Twitter @ODULacrosse and find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ODULacrosse.