ARNOLD, Md. – The No. 3 Anne Arundel Community College women's lacrosse team fended off a late comeback attempt by No. 4 Harford in a 13-11 win at Siegert Field Wednesday evening.
AACC (3-3) led by as many as seven goals before Harford used a five goal run spanning the third and fourth quarters to make it 12-11 AACC with less than five minutes left to play.
With their lead dwindled to one, the Riverhawks were awarded the ensuing draw. The Owls drew a green card in the attacking zone with 4:01 left on the clock. Grace Adkins then found Ashlynn Deans cutting in front for the game-clinching goal at the 3:22 mark.
After a quick time out, AACC got a shot off, but the save came loose and the Riverhawks were whistled for an empty stick check. On Harford's clear attempt the Owls were called for an offensive foul, giving the ball back to the Riverhawks.
The Owls immediately forced a Riverhawks turnover just outside the restraining line and set up their offense, but Mia Keen forced the Owls to turn it over, giving the Riverhawks time to run out the clock.
AACC started the game on a 5-0 run, taking a commanding lead with 3:23 left in the first quarter. The Riverhawks started the second quarter with a three-goal run to hold their largest lead of the game, 9-2, at the 4:25 mark. Harford responded with a pair of goals in the final minute of the first half to send the teams into halftime with AACC leading, 9-4.
Harford started its comeback attempt with a free position goal at 3:03 of the third, and added another unassisted goal with 25 seconds left in the quarter. The Owls opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back goals before getting within one with 4:28 to play.
Deans led the Riverhawks with five goals, adding three draw controls. Keen scored three goals and assisted another, while adding three ground balls and three caused turnovers. Rian Dennis scored two goals and added an assist. Adkins scored a goal, had an assist, and a career high 10 draw controls. Shelby Blanford scored a goal and recorded two caused turnovers.
In net, Madi Spencer made seven saves in her third win of the season.
AACC now awaits seeding for the Mid-Atlantic District Championship, which is scheduled for May 3-4, 2024.
