NEW HAVEN, Conn. (March 9, 2024) - Georgian Court Women's Lacrosse was on the wrong side of an improbable comeback Saturday afternoon in Connecticut. GCU let a seven-goal lead in the fourth quarter slip away as Southern Connecticut State pulled out a miracle 18-17 win over the Lions. The loss puts GCU at 3-4 this season.

How it Happened
• Shots in the game were nearly even with GCU firing 33 and SCSU 32. 
• The Owls put 26 on target and the Lions 22.
• Both teams did well on free-position opportunities. SCSU was 5-8 and the Lions hit on 7-11.
• Off the draw, Southern Connecticut corralled 22 and Georgian Court 16.
First Period
• Southern Connecticut started the scoring with a goal nearly three minutes into the game.
• That was the last time they led until the fourth quarter.
• Georgian Court responded with three straight in a 2:35 span. Remi Reinhardt, Riley O'Connor and Gianna Nardini all scored.
• After and SCSU score made it a one-goal game, Bryleigh Tejchman scored with just 43 seconds left for a 4-2 lead after one.
Second Period
• Back to a one-goal lead again, the Lions went on another 3-0 scoring run. O'Connor and Tejchman both scored again and Alyssa Hawley added one.
• The Owls though finished the half very strong. They scored four straight over the final 8:15.
• The game-tying goal came with just six seconds left and it was a 7-7 game at the half.
Third Period
• Georgian Court came out firing in the third. Reinhardt broke the tie 98 seconds into the half.
• That started a 5-0 run for the Lions who took a 12-7 lead.
• Reinhardt scored three times in the third and GCU outscored the Owls 7-3.
• O'Connor also scored twice in the period for a 14-10 lead heading into the fourth.
Fourth Period
• Georgian Court started the fourth by scoring three more.
• Reinhardt, O'Connor and Isabel Raimondi all hit the netting and the Lions took their largest lead, 17-10, with 7:52 left to play in the game.
• SCSU got one of those goals back a minute later. Then another a minute after that and another after just 25 seconds and suddenly it was a 17-13 game with 5:20 to play.
• The Owls missed on a free-position shot, but with 3:40 remaining made it a 17-14 game. Less than a minute later, they cashed in on a free-position shot and it's 17-15 with 3:09 left.
• After SCSU won the draw control, they made it a one-goal game, scoring with 2:30 remaining.
• The Lions finally had something positive as the Owls took a penalty giving GCU a power play. But it wasn't the Lions who converted. After a turnover, SCSU scored shorthanded to tie the game with 59 seconds.
• After it looked like GCU won the ensuing draw control, the refs called for a do-over and both teams were sent back to midfield. SCSU won the one that counted and earned a free-position opportunity with just 11 seconds left. Natalie Moradian made a big save on the shot, but SCSU picked up the ground ball, made a pass and with less than a second remaining scored the game-winner for a heartbreaking 18-17 Lion loss. 

Lion Stat Leaders
• Remi Reinhardt led GCU with six points scoring five goals. She also won nine draw controls.
• Riley O'Connor added five goals as well.
• Isabel Raimondi had a goal and two assists.
• Natalie Moradian made seven saves in goal. 

For the Owls
• Kristen McIntire scored seven times and added an assist.
• Alexandra Ruel had two goals and an assist.
• Amelia Mansfield won nine draw controls.
• Caelan Connors stopped five shots.

News and Notes
• This is back-to-back one-goal losses for the Lions.
• Riley O'Connor scored her 200th career point.
• Remi Reinhardt scored her 100th point.

Up Next
• The Lions play at home Tuesday, March 12 at 3 p.m. taking on D'Youville.