WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary lacrosse team earned a thrilling 12-11 overtime victory against Delaware at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field on Friday evening.
 
After junior goalie Elsa Rall made a pair of saves in the opening minutes of the extra session, freshman Belle Martire scored the game-winner with 22.9 seconds remaining on the clock.
 
Both of Rall's saves, as well as Martire's game-winner, came with the Tribe (6-6, 1-2) down a player after a yellow card was issued less than a minute into the overtime frame.
 
The extra session was indicative of a tremendously resilient performance by the Tribe, as it battled back from an early 4-0 deficit with a 7-1 run to close the opening half.
 
Although Delaware (6-7, 0-2) opened the second half with another 4-0 run, the Tribe responded with four unanswered goals of its own to lead, 11-9, with 2:14 remaining.
 
While the Blue Hens forced overtime with a pair of goals in the final 1:28 of regulation, W&M secured the conference victory with the gutsy effort in the extra session.
 
Tribe Standouts
In addition to providing the game-winner, Martire finished with a team-high five goals on just seven shots.
 
Freshman Starr Howard posted another outstanding performance and totaled a career-high nine draw controls, which ranks tied for the second-best single-game effort in school history. She also added a pair of caused turnovers and two ground balls.
 
In addition to her pair of saves in overtime, Rall finished the contest with 14 saves and a .560 save percentage. Senior Anne McElgunn also played well defensively and posted a team-best three caused turnovers to go with two ground balls.  
 
Sophomore Sophie Kopec came up big by equaling a career high with five points (2g, 3a), while freshman Lauren Russell added three points (1g, 2a) and senior Maddie Torgerson found the back of the cage twice.
 
Inside the Numbers
Although UD outshot W&M, 31-21, the Tribe recorded a .571 shooting percentage.
 
Additionally, the Tribe owned a big advantage in saves (14-4) and held a 14-11 edge in draw controls.
 
During its big run during the first half, W&M limited UD to just one goal during the final 22:56 of the initial stanza. Additionally, the Tribe held the Blue Hens scoreless for a span of 16:34 during the second half.
 
The Opposition
Caroline Farley led Delaware with four goals, while Mia DeRuggiero added three points (2g, 1a).
 
Chantae led the Blue Hens defensively with three caused turnovers and five ground balls.
 
Notes
The contest marked W&M's second overtime game this season, as it fell at Coastal Carolina 12-11, on March 24 … Five of the Tribe's last six games have been decided by no more than three goals, including three one-goal games … Howard's nine draw controls builds upon her W&M single-season record (67) and marks the third time this season she has totaled at least eight draw controls … The win snapped a seven-game skid against the Blue Hens in the all-time series.
 
Up Next
The Tribe will return to action when it plays at Towson on Sunday at noon.