GREENVILLE, N.C. – Old Dominion University lacrosse staged a late comeback but it fell short as the Monarchs dropped the American Athletic Conference opener at East Carolina on Saturday 14-11.
Old Dominion (5-8, 0-1) trailed 14-7 early in the fourth quarter but got four-consecutive goals from Haley O'Connor, Claire Porter, Corrinne Stratton and Molly May to cut the lead to 14-11 with 4:12 left in the final stanza.
The Monarchs got the ball back after an East Carolina (8-5, 1-0) turnover but a Lilly Siskind shot was stopped by ECU goalie Brynn Knight and the Monarchs were unable to get another shot off the final three minutes.
The two teams traded punches in the opening quarter as Megan Tryniski struck first for the Pirates, but Maddie Mullenbach tied the score for the Monarchs at one. Sophie Patton gave ECU the lead at 2-1 but a Siskind goal tied the score again at two.
The Pirates took a 4-2 lead but again ODU knotted things up, this time with goals from Sydney Taylor and O'Connor. Payton Barr scored with five seconds left in the quarter to give ECU a 5-4 lead.
Siskind quickly tied the score at five in the second quarter, but it was all ECU after that, as the Pirates scored five-straight goals to take a 10-5 halftime lead.
ECU scored a sixth-straight goal to take an 11-5 lead before Siskind stopped the streak to make the score 11-6. Frances Kimel got the Pirates back on the board to make the score 12-6, while O'Connor scored again to cut the lead back to five at 12-7.
Siskind and O'Connor had three goals apiece for the Monarchs. Jenna Peccia was saddled with the loss in goal, making 13 saves for the Monarchs. Peccia led the nation in saves coming into the game and now has 144 stops on the year.
The Monarchs are back in action next Saturday at Florida.
Lacrosse Drops AAC Opener at East Carolina, 14-11
Haley O'Connor