ARNOLD, Md. – The No. 2 Anne Arundel Community College women's lacrosse team rallied to defeat No. 3 Monroe, 13-12, in a wild game at Siegert Field Thursday afternoon. The Riverhawks overcame a four-goal deficit in the second quarter, and were trailing by one headed into the late fourth quarter before scoring the final two goals of the game – one on a free position, and the other with Monroe sitting two players for cards – to clinch the win.
The weather played a huge factor in the game and the conditions swung between driving rain and sunny skies not once, but twice during the contest.
Grace Adkins scored four goals and added an assist. Ashlynn Deans scored four goals. Riann Dennis and Shelby Blanford each scored twice, and Tinna Mavica had a goal and two assists.
AACC (3-1) gave up a goal to the Tribunes in the first 31 seconds of the game before scoring three goals in a 97 second span. The teams traded the next two goals and then Monroe went on a six-goal spree spanning the first and second quarters. The momentum shifted back to the Riverhawks as the first half wound down, seeing AACC score three in a row in less than two minutes.
AACC was trailing, 8-7, headed into the second half and Monroe extended its lead to two goals within the first minute of the quarter. The teams again traded the next two goals until Deans netted two in a row to tie the game at 10-10 with 2:17 left in the third.
The Riverhawks scored the first goal of the fourth quarter, but gave up the lead after two straight strikes from Skye Gaudio. She finished the game with four goals and three assists.
Blanford scored a free position shot at 6:37 to tie the game at 12-12. Monroe was assessed a yellow card at 5:18 and a green at 5:10, giving AACC quite the advantage. Dennis had the ball behind the cage and brought it out before rolling under to score a low-angle shot with 4:13 remaining.
Monroe won the ensuing draw and had a shot attempt, but it was handled by Riverhawks' keeper Madi Spencer. She finished with five saves on the day.
AACC had a chance to extend the lead late, but couldn't connect on a free position shot and then let the shot clock expire. Monroe then had the opportunity to clear the ball, but a costly turnover ended the threat.
The Riverhawks led in groundballs, 28-18, paced by four each from Adkins and Deans. Monroe led in draw controls, 17-12, but the teams were even in the second half. Blanford corralled seven of her own draws to lead AACC.
The Riverhawks will face the Tribunes again in just 10 days as AACC travels to Upstate New York next weekend for a pair of games. After taking on Onondaga on Saturday, April 13, AACC will face Monroe on Sunday, April 14.
