KENNESAW, Ga. -- The Old Dominion women's lacrosse team advanced to the Atlantic Sun Championship game with a 10-9 victory over Furman on Friday afternoon at Kennesaw State's Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
Morgan Marrale scored the game-winning goal on a free position attempt with 2:02 remaining and Natalie Ledwitz caused a Furman turnover on the Paladins' final possession to give ODU the thrilling victory.
"Furman is extremely talented and extremely fast and they matched us in speed, which is something that we are not used to," said head coach Heather Holt. "So, I really attribute a great game to them."
Old Dominion (15-3) advances to play No. 4 seed Detroit (12-7), who upset top-seeded Jacksonville (13-5), 9-8, in the first semifinal of the day. The final is slated for Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN3. This is ODU's first conference championship appearance since the CAA final in 2003.
Ashmore Standing led ODU with four goals, while Marrale, Megan Cameron and Mary Margaret McCaleb each tallied a pair of goals.
On the defensive end, Ledwitz caused three turnovers and corralled four draw controls. Maggi Buckley earned the victory in net, playing the full 60 minutes and tallying seven saves.
Following nine minutes of scoreless play to open the game, ODU tallied three consecutive goals to take an early lead. Furman (12-7) answered with its first goal of the game at the 13:01 mark of the first half and then used a three-goal rally late in the second half to tie the score at 5-5 with 1:06 remaining.
Standing then scored her third goal of the half in the final minute to give ODU a 6-5 advantage at the break. Overall, Furman outshot ODU, 11-9, and held a 7-5 edge in draw controls in the first half.
The Paladins opened the second half with consecutive goals to take its first lead of the game at 7-6 at the 18:40 mark. ODU answered as Marrale netted her first goal of the game, but Furman quickly regained the lead at 8-7 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Cameron and Standing then netted back-to-back goals to retake the lead for ODU at 9-8 with just under seven minutes left. Furman bounced back with a goal under four minutes left, but Marrale's last-minute score proved to be enough for the Lady Monarchs.
Overall, the second half featured four ties and a pair of lead changes. Furman held slight advantages in shots, 20-19, and draw controls, 11-10, and turnovers were equal at 11-11.
"All-around, we have a really special team this year," said Holt. "It's really enjoyable to coach them and to be a part of this."
ODU and Detroit met last weekend in the Motor City with the Lady Monarchs taking a 17-12 victory. Overall, ODU is 2-1 all-time against Detroit.
"We have some work to do. We have some things we need to iron out a little bit and situations we need to talk about." said Holt about Sunday's final against Detroit. "I know it's going to be a challenge and a great game, but that is what this is all about."
UP NEXT
ODU will face No. 4 seed Detroit (12-7) in the Atlantic Sun Championship game on Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN3. For more information on the A-Sun Championship, click here.
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