JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Old Dominion lacrosse team fell in the first round of the 2017 ASUN conference tournament to the #4 seeded Mercer 18-14. Twelve second-half goals by the Bears advance them into the semifinals, while the Lady Monarchs finish their season 9-9, 5-5 ASUN.
Katie Miller led the scoring with four goals, including a first half hat trick. Sophia Richie also earned a hat trick, while Connor Carson and Cydney Tutchton each recorded two goals in the game. Megan Topper, Colby Muller and Morgan Marrale each scored once in the 18-14 loss.
Carson, Marrale, Topper, Muller and Tutchton each recorded an assist. Carson and Miller led the team in draw controls with five each while Kerri Caruso had a game-high five caused turnovers. Maggi Buckley had nine saves and allowed 18 goals.
Mercer was led by Kate Leone with six goals, while Kate Christian had four goals and five assists.
Mercer got out to an early two-goal lead, before Old Dominion answered with five straight goals by Cydney Tutchton (2), Sophia Richie (2) and Katie Miller to go up 5-2 with 19:52 to play in the first half.
The Lady Monarchs scoring drive was broken up by Mercer's Lindsey Zeltwanger, but Miller answered with her second goal to keep the three-goal advantage (6-3).
Back-to-back goals by Mercer cut ODU's lead to one (6-5) with 5:40 left in the first. The Lady Monarchs closed out the half on a 3-1 run with goals scored by Marrale, Miller and Carson.
ODU held the 9-6 lead at halftime and led in shots (25-12), ground balls (13-7) and clears (9-7).
Mercer dominated the second half eliminating a five-goal deficit to overcome the Lady Monarchs 18-14.
ODU scored four goals in the opening seven minutes of the second half to take a five goal lead, 13-8. Back-to-back goals by the Bears cut the lead to three, with ODU leading 13-10, before Sophia Richie scored the last ODU goal with 17:37 left on the clock.
Mercer took over from there coming back after trailing by four goals to score eight-straight taking the lead and the win to advance to the 2017 ASUN semifinals.
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