Box Score
GRANTHAM, Pa. -
Jocelyn Novak scored an equalizer with 5:05 left in regulation, but #1 Messiah's Julie Barton ended the game 5:31 into overtime as the Falcons defeated #7 LVC, 3-2 (OT), to move onto the NCAA Final Four.
The Dutchmen (19-4) were taking on the undefeated Falcons (21-0) for the third time this year, and once again could not solve them as they played in the NCAA Third Round. Messiah will move on to face #3 Ursinus in the national semifinals at Mt. Holyoke College. LVC was bidding for its fifth final four appearance and third in four years.
Caitlin Vasey put LVC on top 7:41 into the game, and the Dutchmen held that lead until two Messiah goals midway through the second half swung the game in their favor.
Senior goalkeeper
Caitlin Baro turned in a career-high 16 saves, including six in overtime, as Messiah ripped 28 shots; LVC was outshot 28-15, including 8-1 in overtime, and Messiah led 19-7 on corners.
Rachel Pantalone and
Bridget Monighan each had defensive saves.
LVC scored on its first chance of the game after Ashley Mowery stopped
Jenni Walker's shot, and Vasey finished on
Allison Bicher's scoop-up. The LVC defense then repelled nine Falcon first-half shots to hang on to the 1-0 lead.
But the nation's #1 team showed why it deserved the ranking, striking quickly with goals by Kourtney Ehly and Katie Love in a nine-minute span midway through the second half to swing the game around.
Seeking an equalizer, LVC had a chance when Novak shot wide with 6:18 left, but the leveler came a moment later when Novak connected on
Nikki Bomberger's assist with 5:05 remaining.
Both teams had chances in a heart-stopping final five minutes, including Novak's shot with 1:57 left that had to be cleared off the line by Brittany Godshall.
In overtime,
Shelly Lobach shot wide to start before Messiah ripped seven straight saved shots before Barton punched through with 4:29 left.
Game Notes
LVC lost to Messiah 4-1 in the regular season and 2-1 in the Commonwealth Conference championship game ... Messiah will make its 13th final four trip ... Messiah has yielded just three goals in its last six games, all to LVC ... It was LVC's eighth overtime game in NCAA play and first since losing 1-0 to Salisbury in 2OT in the 2000 third round ... LVC is 4-5 in OT in the tournament ... It was Messiah's 14th NCAA overtime game ... It was LVC's first overtime game since a 3-2 loss to William Smith in 2006 ... It was Messiah's third overtime win this year ... Despite meeting 53 times before, LVC and Messiah were playing for the first time in the NCAA Tournament ... LVC is now 18-16 all-time in the NCAA Tournament ... Novak had six goals in three games, which is tied for third-most in NCAA Tournament history with six other players ... Her 13 points is also third-most by an individual in an NCAA Tournament ... Novak, a sophomore, has nine goals in five career NCAA games, which is already sixth-most.
