CHICAGO – Sophomore Lulu Hardy scored the golden goal four minutes into overtime to give University of Chicago women's lacrosse a dramatic 8-7 victory in its season opener against Bates College.

Saturday marked the 2022 debut for both the No. 25-ranked Maroons (1-0 record) and the Bobcats (0-1). Temperatures hovered in the low 30s on a sunny day at the Stagg Field turf.

The two teams exchanged four goals during a two-minute span early in the first quarter. Bates struck first 2:33 into the contest, and UChicago responded a minute later with first-year Lily DePalma scoring off an assist by first-year Jane Chen. But only 10 seconds later, the Bobcats won the draw and sped down the field to recapture the advantage at 2-1.

Senior Ali Sheehy provided the equalizer goal in front five minutes in, then provided the go-ahead score three minutes later. In the final minute of the quarter, Bates took advantage of a Maroon yellow card and tied the game once more on the power play.

The second quarter was a defensive battle with only one goal being scored. Hardy put her team back in front at 4-3 with an unassisted strike to the top shelf with seven minutes left in the half.

Both defenses excelled throughout the contest. Bates clogged up the inside of the attacking area with bodies and did not allow access to Maroon cutters. On the other side of the field, UChicago's aggressive defenders around the circle kept the visitors from getting clear looks at goal. Both squads utilized high-pressure rides on opposing clear attempts as well.

The cold conditions made catches tougher on both sides. Long passes by Bates frequently sailed long and out of bounds, while UChicago struggled to hang onto the ball once they penetrated the attacking area. All told, the Bobcats committed 30 turnovers while the Maroons coughed up 24 turnovers in the final stats.

The opening minute of the third quarter was a boon for the home team. Only 23 seconds in, first-year Evelina Swigart scored off another assist by Chen. Then 39 seconds later, Hardy scooped up a loose ball in front of the goalie and deposited it into the back of the net to make it 6-3.

Bates would not fold, however. The Maroons were limited to one goal over the last 29 minutes of regulation, and the Bobcats mounted their comeback. The visitors pulled within one by the end of the third quarter. After Sheehy scored on a free-position shot in the fourth quarter, Bates would tally two more to knot the game at 7-7. The Bobcats had one last chance to end it in regulation, but the final shot attempt came just after the buzzer.

With overtime looming, UChicago's home winning streak was in jeopardy. The Maroons had won all 21 of their home games at Stagg Field since the program's first season in 2019.

But the unblemished record ultimately remained intact. Senior Lally Johnson fed an open Hardy in the middle and the Maroon sophomore stuffed it home to provide the walk-off winner with 2:06 left in the overtime period.

Hardy and Sheehy finished with three goals each to pace the offense. Johnson and Chen collected two assists apiece. Senior Adriana Shutler and junior Hailey Klinger produced two caused turnovers each.

Junior Emily Feigen got the start in goal and played the first 21 minutes of game time, allowing three goals with one save. First-year Rachel Keefe entered in relief for the final 43 minutes. She made six saves and allowed four goals to pick up her first collegiate victory.

Bates led the shots (25-22) and ground balls (29-18) categories. The Bobcats were successful on 21 of 29 clears (72 percent) while the Maroons cleared 19 of 25 (76 percent).

NEXT GAME:

• Tuesday, March 1 @ 6:00 PM – Wartburg College at UChicago