Saúl Berríos-Thomas | Layout Editor
When Canisius and Duquesne play in women’s lacrosse, it’s always close. Wednesday was no different as the Dukes needed overtime to beat Canisius. The Dukes came away with a win by scoring 12-11 in the second overtime.
Coach Mike Scerbo knew the game would be tough.
“It’s a great matchup with Canisius. We are very similar in style and what we like to do,” he said. “If you are a fan of women’s lacrosse then Canisius and Duquesne is a great game to watch.”
Senior midfielder Caitlin Prince agreed.
“It is always a bloodbath. They are our non-conference rivals. It’s always a good game and we match up really well,” she said.
With 30 seconds left and the Dukes down one, they got a great opportunity. Prince had a free position shot, but she missed wide. Canisius recovered the ball, but the Dukes caused a turnover and got the ball back. After a Duquesne timeout, junior midfielder Amanda Kidder got a free position shot that she slotted to the left of the goalie for a goal with seven seconds left to tie the game and force overtime.
Canisius got the ball to open overtime and possessed the ball for about 30 seconds in the offensive zone before Kidder stripped Maria Kotas, senior midfielder, and took the ball the length of the field. The Dukes held for the last shot in the first three minute overtime. Junior midfielder Claire Hurley got a free position shot with seconds left in the first overtime, but it went wide.
Hurley got a very big draw control to start the second overtime. Again they held for a final shot. With four seconds left Caitlin Prince got a pass from Lib Lowry, a sophomore forward, which she put home just beyond the arm of the goalie.
Scerbo called for that shot during a timeout with 56 seconds left in the overtime.
“There was no question it was going to Prince. The play did not play out the way I had designed it, but in the end it was ‘get the ball to Prince,’” he said.
Prince described the play.
“We ran a play to switch. Usually we run it a little bit differently, but I just popped up and got the ball. I really had no other choice but to score. I just had to do what I had to do,” she said.
The game was a back and fourth slugfest. The teams exchanged goals all afternoon. Canisius scored first, but the Dukes answered back with a goal from Hurley two minutes later. Hurley ripped through the middle of the Canisius defense and fired a low shot that found the back of the net.
The game went back and fourth this way for much of the first half.
The Dukes took a lead into the second half thanks to a goal with 1:14 remaining from Kidder, who got the ball at midfield and took it all the way to the net before scoring on a shot above the goalie’s shoulder.
Canisius came out strong in the second half scoring three quick goals. The score bounced back and fourth from there, but Canisius maintained a slight advantage and the Dukes didn’t regain the lead after halftime. Canisius controlled the ball and ate up clock, denying the Dukes offensive time.
The Dukes were led in goals by Prince, who had four and an assist. Kidder added three goals. Hurley two goals and four draw controls.
Lowry led the team with four assists. Scerbo was pleased with her play.
“She played a very composed game today. She didn’t force anything that wasn’t there,” he said.
Prince was also impressed by her performance.
“[Lowry] stepping up and playing really well that’s a big accomplishment for her and I am proud of her,” she said.
The Dukes are back in action on Sunday when they Host Mount St Mary’s. the game will be on 1 p.m. at Rooney Field.
