NAPLES, FLA. – Niagara earned a 13-12 overtime win over Columbia on Sunday, March 17 in non-conference women's lacrosse action. The win improves the Purple Eagles to 7-1 overall, while the Lions drop to 3-5.
 
Rachel Crane and Lexi Braniecki paced the Niagara offense with four goals apiece, but it was Lois Garlow who registered the game-winner in overtime to finish with a pair of tallies. Andra Savage added three goals while Riley Latray led NU with two assists. Jordan Roy made the start in goal, making six saves.
 
How it Happened
Columbia took a three-goal lead before the Purple Eagles found the back of the net in the first goal, sparking a 4-0 run to take a 4-3 lead over the Lions. Braniecki had two of the four Niagara goals during the run while Savage and Crane each scored once to help give the Purple and White its first lead of the game.
 
Columbia would tie the game with 3:27 left in the first half, but it would be the Purple Eagles who would take a 5-4 lead into the break as Savage notched her second of the quarter.
 
The Lions would score two goals out of the break, taking a 6-5 lead over Niagara, however, the Purple and White would rattle off four in a row as Garlow, Braniecki and Crane each found the back of the net to give NU a 9-6 lead.
 
Columbia would go on a 4-0 run over the 9:21 of game play, taking a 10-9 lead over Niagara, a lead that would last less than a minute as Crane tied the game at 10-10.
 
Later in the quarter, with the game still deadlocked at 10, Niagara would get goals from Braniecki and Crane to take a 12-10 advantage over the Lions with 4:01 to play.
 
The Lions would score twice in the final four minutes to force overtime.
 
Garlow would score the game-winner 1:07 into the extra stanza, giving Niagara the 13-12 win over Columbia.
 
Niagara Notes
• Braniecki recorded four goals, marking the fifth time this season the attack has recorded at least four goals.
• Crane's four goal performance gives her 14 goals over the last four games.
• Crane, Mickey Knapp and Amber Daley recorded a team-best two ground balls as Niagara finished with 11 as a team.
• Knapp, Daley, and Sydney Huhtala finished the game with two caused turnovers apiece.
• Savage, Garlow, and Maddy Gill led Niagara on the draw with three apiece. The Purple Eagles 15 draws on the afternoon, compared to 14 for Columbia.
• Sophomore goalie Katie Ling played the final 11-minutes of action, allowing two goals.
 
Up Next
Niagara returns to Monteagle Ridge to open MAAC play on Saturday, March 23 at noon. The game will be streamed live on the Niagara Sports Network.
 
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