Wienckowski's Goal Lifts Lacrosse Past Robert Morris in Triple Overtime

(box score)

4/5/07 -- The Long Island University women’s lacrosse claimed its first Northeast Conference win of the season with a 13-12 overtime victory against Robert Morris on Thursday afternoon. Freshman Christie Wienckowski (Newton Square, Pa.) scored at the 1:42 mark in the first sudden victory period to give LIU the win.

The Blackbirds appeared to have the game well in hand midway through the second period after Amy Rizzo’s (Jackson, N.J.) fifth goal of the day made it 10-6 with 17:38 to play. However, Robert Morris answered 28 seconds later to spark a 6-1 run, which culminated in Jenn Collins’ goal giving RMU a 12-11 lead with 4:55 to play.

Long Island (3-8, 1-2 Northeast Conference) leveled the score with 2:05 to play when freshman Kristina Scheerer (West Chester, Pa.) scored on an unassisted effort. Robert Morris held the ball for the final shot, but failed to convert, sending the game to overtime. Neither team generated any serious scoring chances in the first two overtime periods. Wienckowski’s goal came on a solo effort and was the only shot in the third overtime period.

LIU raced out to an early lead when Rizzo scored at the 19:19 mark. Wienckowski added one on a free position shot a minute later, before senior Jackie McCormick (Liverpool, N.Y.) took a pass from Rizzo and scored to make it 3-0.

Robert Morris (5-7, 2-2 NEC) got back into the game with goals from Collins and Emily Tomlinson to make it 3-2 at the 14:57 mark. Rizzo sandwiched a pair of LIU goals around a score from Jillian Howley to make it 5-3. McCormick added a score at 5:36 before the Colonials added a pair of goals before halftime to make it 6-5 at the intermission.

Senior Kelly Betancur (Orlando, Fla.) opened the scoring for LIU in the second period to make it 7-5 with 26:57 to play. Following a goal by RMU’s Bethany Mahaffey, LIU rattled off three-consecutive goals. Rizzo started the run before McCormick added a free-position shot to make it 9-6. Rizzo capped the run to give LIU its largest lead of the day before RMU started its comeback.

Rizzo finished the day with six goals and an assist, while McCormick added three goals and an assist. Wienckowski had a pair of goals for the Blackbirds, who managed to win despite being outshot 32-31. Sophomore Kimberly Campbell (Malvern, Pa.) made 15 saves for the win.

Robert Morris was led by Jillian Howley’s three goals off the bench. Brittanny Smith posted five assists, while three players had two goals apiece. Erica Webb finished with 13 saves.

The Blackbirds return to action on Saturday, April 7, when they host Saint Francis (Pa.) at 10:30 a.m. on LIU Field.