Neptune, N.J.- The Georgian Court University women's lacrosse squad made its 2015 season debut Wednesday afternoon, dropping a 15-13 overtime decision to visiting St.Thomas Aquinas College. The contest, originally scheduled to be played at STAC, was instead hosted by GCU at Memorial Field in Neptune Township.

The Spartans (1-0) got things rolling in the first half by jumping out to a 3-0 lead at the 25:45 mark of the first half. GCU junior Melissa Williams put the Lions on the board at 24:08 with the first of her game-high six goals, a free-position tally that made the score 3-1.

After a Silvetta Agosto goal with 5:54 remaining in the half made the score 7-5 Spartans, STAC rallyed for four goals within the final five minutes to take an 11-5 advantage into intermission.

The visitors made the score 12-5 at 26:18 of the second half after Caroline Finnen's (Fr.-Hicksville, N.Y.) second goal of the game before the Lions (0-1) responded with three straight tallies to cut the deficit to 12-8. STAC increased its lead to 13-8 after Kellie Kuchinski (Sr.-Roxbury, N.J.) completed her hat trick for the Spartans at 20:21.  

Trailing by five, Georgian Court put its offense in gear and produced a thrilling 5-0 run over the next 18:20, highlighted by Stephanie Gallo's clutch game-tying tally with 1:01 left in regulation.

Unfortunately, the Lions could not reignite their second-half magic as the Spartans popped in two overtime goals to secure the triumph.

STAC netminder Kaitlyn Lonergan (Jr.-Stony Point, N.Y.) earned the win, collecting eight saves off 26 GCU shots. Amanda Cathcart was tagged with the defeat in the Lions' goal, permitting four goals (three saves) in 36:00 of relief action.

Kuchinski paced the Spartans with her four goals and two assists, which included the game-winner in overtime.

Gallo finished the afternoon with three goals and an assist. Taylor Reinecke, playing her first lacrosse game for Georgian Court since 2010, added a pair of goals in her season debut.