FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Box Score

NOTE: This release has been amended from its original version to correct an error in the box score.

AURORA, Ill. (Mar. 10, 2015) - The North Central College women's lacrosse team needed just one game to display the resolve of a champion on Tuesday at Aurora University's Vago Field, wiping out a two-goal overtime deficit by scoring four times in the final 2:13 to secure a 14-13 victory over the host Spartans in the Cardinals' 2015 season opener.

After surrendering a go-ahead goal with less than a minute to play in the extra session, the Cardinals (1-0) found the net twice in the final 32 seconds, including the game-winner by Claire Norfleet with just 15.4 seconds on the clock to win their first game for the second straight year and improve to 3-0 all-time against Aurora.

The teams were never separated by more than two goals throughout the afternoon. With the score tied at 4-4, North Central held the Spartans scoreless for nearly 13 minutes and pulled ahead on goals by Emily Zadny and Gina Fisher, eventually taking a 7-6 advantage into halftime. Fisher scored the opening goal of the second half on a free-position attempt, but the Spartans (0-3) bounced back with scores from Kenny Hughes and Lexie Wright to knot the score at 8-8 with 19:55 on the clock.

Norfleet and Aurora's Danielle Morgan exchanged goals before the Spartans pulled ahead, 10-9, on Hughes' goal with 14:20 left. Norfleet assisted Kassie Whaling on another game-tying goal with 11:54 to play in regulation. Neither team was able to put a shot on the goal in the final 10 minutes, sending the Cardinals into an overtime game for the first time since a 10-9 victory over Carthage College on Apr. 25, 2013.

The Spartans took a 12-10 lead after play resumed, getting goals from Morgan and Chloe Madison, and remained in front until Fisher caused two turnovers which were converted into goals by Whaling in a 20-second span to tie the game once again at 12-12. Hughes connected to nudge the hosts in front once again with 56 seconds on the clock, but Bianca Perri negated the deficit by scoring with 32 seconds left. Fisher caused another turnover to create the space for Norfleet's winning goal, and Cardinal goalkeeper Kat Schultz, playing in her first game, stopped a free-position shot by Madison to seal the win.

Fisher and Whaling each scored four goals, while Fisher added two assists, seven ground balls and four draw controls while tying North Central's single-game record for caused turnovers (6) and increasing her career goal total to 102 to become the Cardinals' third 100-goal scorer. Schultz saved eight shots on goal.

Hughes and Wright paced Aurora with four goals each. Goalkeeper Allee Samuel saved 11 shots.

The Cardinals host Albion College (Michigan) on Thursday in their home opener. Action at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. Live in-game statistics can be accessed by clicking HERE.