DENVER, Colo. – The Regis University Women's Lacrosse team, ranked No. 17 in the latest IWLCA Coaches Poll, hosted No. 16 Florida Tech and secured their first win of the season with a thrilling 14-13 victory. The Rangers are now 1-1, while the Panthers fall to 1-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Brigit Goetsch set the tone early, recording five saves before the Cougars found the back of the net for the game's opening goal. Off a ground ball pickup from
Lexie Springman, the Rangers responded quickly as Springman finished to tie the game 1-1. After another save from Goetsch,
Abby Mays secured a ground ball that led to a go-ahead goal from
Evie Tanella. Florida Tech answered to even the score, but Murphy regained the lead for Regis, giving the Rangers a 3-2 edge at the end of the first quarter.
The Cougars surged to open the second, scoring four straight to take a 6-3 lead.
Maggie Schipfer came up with a ground ball and shot opportunity, and Tanella capitalized with her second goal to cut the deficit to 6-4. Regis continued to battle, as Springman scored off an assist from Kyle Bieker following a draw control. Florida Tech added another goal, but Goetsch came up with a key save late in the half. Despite a final shot attempt from Bieker, the Rangers trailed 7-5 at the break.
Geotsch opened the second half with two more saves, but Florida Tech struck first to extend its lead. Tanella answered with a draw control and a goal of her own to make it 8-6. After forcing a turnover, Tanella helped set up
Aubrey Benton for another Regis score, bringing the Rangers within one. The Cougars responded to push their lead back to two, 9-7, before both teams traded goals, including one from Schipfer.
Charlotte Hastings then caused a turnover that led to another Benton goal, cutting the deficit to 10-9. Florida Tech added one more before the end of the third, but Goetsch delivered a clutch save to keep it 11-9 heading into the final quarter.
Regis came alive in the fourth, as Springman scored back-to-back goals to tie the game at 11-11. Following a turnover forced by Munsinger, Mays picked up the ground ball and found Benton for the go-ahead goal, giving the Rangers a 12-11 lead. Goetsch continued her strong play with two more saves, and Springman added another goal to extend the lead to 13-11.
Kyla Bieker followed with a key insurance goal, putting Regis ahead 14-11. Florida Tech made one final push, scoring twice in the final minute to cut the lead to 14-13. But Goetsch came up with a game-saving stop in the closing seconds, sealing a hard-fought 14-13 victory for the Rangers.
GAME NOTES
Springman led RU with six points, with five goals and one assist.
Tanella added five points, three goals, and two assists.
Goetsch recorded 18 saves.
Benton added three goals.
Florida Tech had 28 shots on goal while Regis recorded 18.
UP NEXT
The Rangers head to Lakeland, Florida, to take on No. 1 Florida Southern at 5 pm.
