Women's Lacrosse Comes Back to Make Playoffs
An incredible second-half rally gave the Muhlenberg women's lacrosse team a 14-13 win at Ursinus and a spot in the Centennial Conference playoffs.
With one game left in the regular season, the Mules (12-3, 5-3) are in sole possession of fourth place in the CC. If they beat Gettysburg on Saturday, or if Washington College wins at McDaniel, Muhlenberg will be the fourth seed in the playoffs and will host a first-round game.
The Mules trailed for the whole game and were down by as many as six, 12-6, after the Bears (7-8, 3-5) scored two goals in the first two-and-a-half minutes of the second half.
It was 13-10 heading into the fourth quarter, and Ursinus did not score again. Goals by freshmen Emma Youngling and Grace King cut the gap to one, and sophomore Ava Milia scored with just under five minutes remaining to even the score for the first time since it was 1-1.
With 2:57 remaining in the fourth, senior Nicole Steiner converted a free-position shot to give Muhlenberg its first lead at 14-13.
Sophomore Abba Diglio controlled the ensuing draw, and the Mules held the ball for the whole possession clock before taking a shot that was saved. Ursinus cleared the ball and set up its offense with about a minute left.
The Bears got a great look, but junior Ellison Ervin went low to save a shot from inside 5 yards. Ursinus came up with the loose ball and was called for an offensive foul on a charge to the goal with 10 seconds left, clinching the win.
It was the second straight one-goal win on the road for the Mules and their third one-goal win of the season – the first time in their history that they've won three one-goal games in the same season.
Muhlenberg's 12 wins this season are one short of the school record set in 2016 and matched the following season.
Junior Jillian Kubikowski scored the Mules' first four goals and finished with a career-high five. Steiner, Youngling and junior Emily Vaughan netted a pair each. Vaughan also contributed 6 draw controls, 6 ground balls and 3 caused turnovers.
pictured above: Kubikowski (center) celebrates with Steiner (right) and freshman Rylee Hulack
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