PITTSFORD, NY – For the seventh time in ten games this season, the University of Rochester lacrosse team played in a contest decided by three goals or less, with Rochester falling by an 11-10 score in overtime to host Nazareth University on Monday evening at NLPA Field.
 
The loss drops Rochester to 4-6 on the season, with five of the six losses coming by a combined seven goals. Nazareth improves to 5-4 win the victory.
 
Both teams had a chance in overtime, as Nazareth secured the initial draw control. After a shot by Nazareth sailed high but the Golden Flyers retained possession, Sara Mendelson caused a turnover to give the Yellowjackets a chance to win it in the extra session.
 
After Morgan Napolitano picked up the ball and passed back to keeper Isla Ablin to start the clear.
 
Unfortunately for the 'Jackets, the clear was unsuccessful, and ended as UR's lone failed clear on the night, with UR going 15-for-16.
 
The turnover put the ball back in the hands of Nazareth, and after a foul gave Sophia Scialdone a free position attempt, the Golden Flyers connected on a goal, earning the win.
 
Overall, the game proved to be very evenly matched throughout the entire contest, with neither team holding a lead larger than two goals.
 
Mendelson got the scoring started in the first period that saw the two teams alternate tallies. UR ended up leading 3-2 after the opening 15 minutes, with Jenna Ufberg also scoring, along with a second from Mendelson.
 
Nazareth scored three of the first four goals in the second to take a 5-4 lead before Rochester's Alyssa Gorny scored back-to-back to regain the lead for the visitors.
 
Gracie Giannettino benefitted from a Nazareth carded player being off the field and made it three straight to pull Rochester in front by two, 7-5, with 5:49 left before halftime.
 
Nazareth's Liddie Hoare closed the half strong for the Golden Flyers, recording two goals in a row to pull the teams even at 7-7 at the halftime break.
 
Neither team scored for the opening six minutes of third quarter, with Gorny edging UR back in front with a score in the 37th minute of the contest.
 
The Golden Flyers scored the only other goals of the third though, heading into the final period with a slim one-goal lead.
 
In the fourth, Anna Rogers made it 9-9 with a goal three minutes in, and four minutes later, Gorny notched her fifth of the game to put Rochester up once again, leading 10-9.
 
With time ticking under four minutes to play, Nazareth got the equalizer out of Kathering McPeak, who found the net with 3:07 remaining.
 
UR's Maddie Bunting secured the next draw, giving the Yellowjackets a chance to win it in regulation.
 
After a timeout, the 'Jackets got a look at goal with a shot by Rogers, but her attempt sailed wide. UR retained possession, but was unable to get another shot off before turning the ball back over to the Golden Flyers.
 
Nazareth's last possession of regulation resulted in one shot with just 25 seconds left, but Ablin came up with a big save for the Yellowjackets, sending the game into overtime where Nazareth would eventually win it.
 
For the game, Ablin finished with seven saves, while her counterpart in net, Allie Klestinec made 14 stops.
 
Gorny's five goals led all players, while she and Bunting led the 'Jackets with six draw controls each. Kassi Boehl and Morgan Napolitano each picked up a team-high three ground balls for UR and Gorny and Campbell Sy each caused two turnovers.
 
Rochester is back on the field this weekend for a pair of Liberty League matchups at Fauver Stadium. The Yellowjackets host Vassar College at 4 pm on Friday before closing out the weekend slate against Bard on Saturday at 2 pm.