Danville, Ky. - The Transylvania women's lacrosse team made a spirited comeback bid but came up short against the Centre College Colonels on Wednesday night, losing 15-14 in a nailbiter.
Exactly one minute into the game, Abbey Peterson netted one to put the Pioneers on the board, but Centre came back with two in as many minutes to go ahead. Shortly after, Diana Bruder tied the game on a free position shot, and the teams continued to trade goals back and forth. Ysa Leon scored to make it 3-3 at the 8:57 mark, but the Colonels notched two more to end the quarter ahead 5-3.
To start the second, Abi Waldron took over in goal and Transylvania quickly fought back offensively, as goals from Peterson, Charlotte Green, and Bruder not only tied it but gave them the lead, all in the first five minutes. Centre then matched the run with three of their own, to go ahead 8-6. Vianne Koshoffer answered on a feed from Mandi Rider, and at the half the score was 8-7, Centre ahead.
Green buried her second of the night just 45 seconds into the third to tie things up, but again the tie didn't last long as Centre scored three minutes later. Just 9 seconds after that, Bruder responded with another strike, and things were tied yet again. The Colonels retook the lead with two, to go up 11-9, but Transy remained resilient, as Lindy Walker and Peterson's goals tied it up with 8 minutes left in the third. The teams remained deadlocked for five minutes, but the Colonels built up a lead with 3 goals late in the quarter, to lead 14-11 after three.
At the 12:04 mark of the fourth, Centre scored again to take a 15-11 lead, but from there Transylvania turned the tide and began to mount a furious comeback attempt. Green completed the hat trick with 9:53 to go, and the Pioneers continued to keep Centre off the board to try and fight back. Bruder also scored with 4:12 to go, making it a two goal deficit. The Pios continued to push, and Green fought through contact, tucking one in to make it 15-14 with just 31 seconds left.
With just 30 seconds left, Leon snatched the ball on the draw and dashed down the field, desperate to get one last chance to even up the game. With the final seconds ticking down, Peterson fired a shot on net but it was saved, and immediately after the final horn sounded, as Transylvania's impressive comeback effort came up just short.
Transylvania had outstanding performances from several players, and were led offensively by the trio of Bruder and Green (4 goals apiece) as well as Peterson, who had 3 goals. Bruder's 4 tallies mark a new career high for the first-year midfielder. Abby Rau also made a big impact with 3 caused turnovers on the defensive side.
The Pioneers now look ahead to conference play, starting with a home game against Anderson on Saturday, April 16, with a 4:00 PM scheduled start from Pat Deacon Stadium.
For more information on Transylvania women's lacrosse, follow @TransyWLax on Twitter.
