LEXINGTON, Va. – Senior midfielder Natalya Hoobchaak (Barrington, Ill./Loyola Academy) scored off an assist from senior midfielder Maggie Speasmaker (Charlottesville, Va./St. Anne's-Belfield) with 22 seconds left in the game to lift No. 20 Washington and Lee to a 9-8 victory over No. 14 Franklin and Marshall in women's lacrosse action on Saturday afternoon at Watt Field.
The Generals (1-1) led 2-1 with 4:50 gone-by in the first half, but the Diplomats (0-1) scored three straight goals, including two by junior attacker Kristen Foster (Denver, Colo./Kent Denver), to take a 4-2 advantage with 13:19 remaining in the first half. W&L junior attacker Amanda Strickler (Lexington, Va./Rockbridge County) notched an unassisted tally at the 19:27 mark to cut the deficit to 4-3, which was the score heading into halftime.
The Generals trailed 5-3 just 3:10 into the second half, but would score the next three goals to take a 6-5 lead with 15:58 remaining in the game. Freshman attacker Christine Bender (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) scored the first of her three goals to give W&L the lead. F&M replied with two goals to take a 7-6 lead and the Generals responded with a pair of goals to go up 8-7.
The Diplomats tied the game at 8-8 on a free position goal by sophomore midfielder Brenna Dolphin (Wilmington, Del./Archmere) with 5:33 left in the game, which set up Hoobchaak's game-winner.
Hoobchaak notched one goal and two assists in the game, while sophomore midfielder Kelly Evans (Lexington, Va./Rockbridge County) added a pair of goals.
F&M was led by Foster, who had three goals and an assist. Senior attacker Alexis O'Meara (Millersville, Md./Severn School) also notched three goals.
W&L freshman goalkeeper Sarah Tilbor (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) made nine saves, while Diplomats sophomore netminder Kim Pleasants (Upper Darby, Pa./Upper Darby) stopped eight shots.
The Generals return to the field on Wednesday when they host Frostburg State at 4:00 pm.
SCORING:
W&L GOALS - Christine Bender 3, Kelly Evans 2, Natalya Hoobchaak 1, Avery Lovejoy 1, Amanda Strickler 1, Maggie Megear 1.
W&L ASSISTS - Natalya Hoobchaak 2, Avery Lovejoy 1, Maggie Speasmaker 1.
F&M GOALS - Kristen Foster 3, Alexis O'Meara 3, Brenna Dolphin 1, Allison O'Meara 1.
F&M ASSISTS - Kristen Foster 1.
GOALTENDING:
Sarah Tilbor (W&L) 60:00, 8 GA, 9 Saves
Kim Pleasants (F&M) 60:00, 9 GA, 8 Saves
-- GENERALS --
