Boston College Athletics
Vivolo Gets Gamewinner in Overtime to Lift Lacrosse Over Connecticut
May 04, 2003 | Lacrosse
May 4, 2003
STORRS, Conn. - Alana Vivolo notched the game-winning goal in the second overtime period to lift Boston College over the University of Connecticut women's lacrosse team, 6-5, in a BIG EAST match on Sunday afternoon at Morrone Stadium in Storrs. The Eagles finish the regular season with a 9-6 overall record, and improve to 2-4 in the BIG EAST Conference. The Huskies conclude their campaign at an even 8-8, and fall to 1-5 in the league.
Both teams were held scoreless in the opening 11 minutes of the game, but the University of Connecticut managed to put two past BC's freshman keeper Tara McKennett before the close of the half. Kariane Lauri and Tracy Mullaney were credited with the Connecticut goals.
Boston College jumped out quickly in the second half to cut its deficit to one goal. Meggie O'Neill notched the tally 2:15 into the half. BC continued to dominate, tying the score 2:02 later, on a goal from Carley St. Lucia, giving the Huskies and Eagles two goals apiece. UConn surged ahead on two free position goals by Lauri and Mullaney at the 23:39 and 18:27 marks, respectively, but Boston College again crept closer on another goal from St. Lucia, less than a minute after Mullaney's shot. The Eagles had the opportunity to tie the score on a free position shot, but missed, then collected the ball, regrouped and scored on a shot from Lindsay Cope at with just over five-minutes left in regulation. On a goal from O'Neill, the Eagles took the 5-4 lead for the first time in the game with just 25-seconds remaining. The Huskies made a last second effort, tying the score on a goal from Stewart at the 11- second mark to send the game to extra sessions.
In the first two three-minute overtime periods, neither team scored, but both had several chances on net. In the sudden death period, Stewart put the ball in the goal 30 seconds into the second overtime, but the referees disallowed the goal on a crease violation. Moments later, at the 1:44 mark, Vivolo notched the game-winner for the Eagles, taking the 6-5 win.
Sophomore Jackie Yovankin, who is among the NCAA's leaders in groundballs, gathered a record 16 in the contest. McKennett made 11 saves for BC.
The Eagles' 9-6 regular season record marks the first winning season for the BC women's lacrosse program in recent history. Boston College finished fifth in the BIG EAST standings, with a 2-4 record, after being picked to finish last in a pre-season poll.
SCORING SUMMARY
Boston College: Goals - O'Neill (2), St. Lucia (2), Cope, Vivolo. Assists - O'Neill (2), Legath.
Connecticut: Goals - Mullaney (2), Lauri (2), Stewart. Assists - Feeley, Stewart, Vandeusen.
GOALKEEPING SUMMARY
Boston College: McKennett - Saves 11, Goals against 5
Connecticut: Pollock - Saves 14, Goals against 6
