Women’s Lacrosse: No. 11 Hoos upset No. 3 BC on Alaimo’s game-winner in OT, 13-12

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Posted on Sunday, Apr. 14, 2024, 8:13 pm

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Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

In a game that featured dramatic momentum swings throughout, the No. 11 Virginia women’s lacrosse team came from behind to pull out a thrilling, 13-12 overtime win over No. 3 Boston College on Saturday.

A freshman pairing of Kate Galica and Madison Alaimo came through in the clutch for the Cavaliers (12-3, 5-3 ACC), combining for seven points and accounting for each of Virginia’s last three goals including an overtime winner from Alaimo.

Galica (3g) led the team in goals while Alaimo (2g, 2a) contributed four points of her own. Kate Miller (2g), Kiki Shaw (2g) and Jenna Dinardo (2g) all found the back of the net on multiple occasions. Katia Carnevale (1g, 2a) Mackenzie Hoeg (1g) and Abby Manalang (1a) all made it on the score sheet as well.

In cage, Mel Josephson was outstanding making six first-half saves to help Virginia build a five-goal cushion. Josephson ended the game with 10 saves marking her eighth double-digit save performance. The Cavalier defense was immense holding the third-highest scoring offense in NCAA Division I to just four goals in the first half and 12 for the game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Virginia came out of the gate hot as Miller opened the scoring with a solo dodge down the alley to net the game’s opening goal and spark a 4-1 Virginia run to open the game. The Eagles answered with a pair of their own, only to be followed by a run of four consecutive Virginia goals to give the Cavaliers their largest lead of the game at 8-3.

With just one second remaining in the first half, Boston College (12-3, 6-2) capitalized on a late opportunity as Mckenna Davis scored to cut the Virginia lead to four. The late effort from Davis sparked a Boston College run that carried over to the second half as the Eagles ripped off six consecutive goals to take a 9-8 lead in the third quarter.

The Cavaliers were able to stop the bleeding with just under five minutes remaining in the third period. With an aggressive ride on the Eagle clear, Morgan Schwab forced Lydia Colasante out of bounds to give possession back to the Cavaliers. On a dodge from the left wing, Jenna Dinardo wrapped the ball around the goalie to knot the game at 9-9.

Kiki Shaw would give UVA the lead from an eight-meter attempt in the first minute of the fourth quarter in the midst of an impressive stretch of Cavalier defense that held Boston College scoreless for over 16 straight minutes. Rachel Clark would end the Eagle scoring drought with an eight-meter attempt of her own. Galica came through for Virginia to take another lead at 11-10 before the Eagles scored back-to-back goals to swing the advantage back in their favor.

With less than a minute remaining, Boston College came up with a critical draw control in its offensive zone but Maggie Bostain caused a crucial turnover to give UVA one final chance to tie the game in regulation with just 40 seconds remaining. It was Galica who once again came through in the clutch to tie the game at 12 with two seconds on the clock and force overtime.

On the opening draw of the final overtime period, Galica won the draw to Kate Miller to set up what would be the only possession Virginia would need. With less than two minutes remaining in overtime, Carnevale found wide-open Alaimo on the crease who buried the finish to win the game 13-12.

FROM HEAD COACH SONIA LaMONICA:

“Just so much joy for this group, for these seniors, and the whole entire team. And all of our support group, our coaches and all the people that work hard in these moments. Just the grit, the fire and the hunger that this team showed, the resiliency. Our youngsters stepping up in some huge moments and seeing our seniors who had some big plays. From top to bottom I am just so thrilled.”

WITH THE WIN…

  • The Cavaliers record their first victory over a top-3 opponent since 2015 over No. 2 Boston College (3/18/2015)
  • Virginia improves to 12-3 overall and 5-3 in ACC Play
  • The Cavaliers record their first victory over BC since 2016—a 15-14 win at Klöckner Stadium
  • Virginia improves to 5-2 against ranked opposition this season earning its second victory over a top-five opponent (at No 4 Notre Dame, 3/9/24)

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Virginia rallied from a six-goal Boston College scoring run, the largest from any of UVA’s opponents this season.
  • With two assists on the day, Alaimo tied a Virginia single-season freshman record with 21 for the season.
  • Josephson made 10 stops in goal marking her eighth double-digit performance of the season
  • The Cavaliers held the nation’s third-highest scoring offense to 12 goals on the day—Virginia has faced off with eight of the nation’s top-25 scoring offenses giving up an average of 10.4 goals in those games
  • The Cavaliers are now 1-1 in overtime games this season after a 10-9 loss to UNC (Feb. 23), each of which has featured just one possession
  • UVA tallied 12 caused turnovers, two shy of its season-high (14, vs JMU)
  • Virginia committed 12 total turnovers compared to Boston College’s 14
  • The Cavaliers won the ground ball battle scooping up 13 to BC’s 11
  • Virginia held its former attacker Rachel Clark to just two points on the day (1g, 1a)

UP NEXT

Virginia will conclude its regular season on Wednesday when the team travels to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash. First draw is set for 7 p.m.