Clark's last-second score lifts VWC to victory at Christopher Newport
March 19, 2003
NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA — With final seconds ticking off the clock and the women's lacrosse match seemingly headed towards an overtime period between two long-time rivals, one shot changed it all.
Amy Clark took her only shot of the game and fired it past the goalie with one second on the clock to lift Virginia Wesleyan College's women's lacrosse Marlins to a stunning 9-8 victory over Christopher Newport University at Captains Field.
Clark, a first-year Marlin from Bowie, Maryland (Bowie), hit the game-winner that capped an electrifying Virginia Wesleyan comeback that saw the Marlins score four times in the final 3:08 of competition. Christopher Newport (1-3) dominated the late minutes of the second half, scoring five consecutive goals to take an 8-5 lead with time heading into the final minutes.
A timeout at that point by Virginia Wesleyan coach Kim-Michael Mertes did exactly what he hoped it would do, as it not only broke CNU's momentum, but also renewed focus for the Marlins (3-2). First-year Marlin Laura Wallace (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) started the VWC comeback with a goal at 2:39.
Christopher Newport felt a little safer with an 8-6 lead as the game entered the final minute, before VWC started to make matters more interesting. Junior Anne Marie Nash (Norfolk, VA/Norfolk Academy) scored with 58 seconds on the clock to pull the Marlins within an 8-7 score, and sophomore Megan Parris (Sewickley, PA/Quaker Valley) made it an 8-8 deadlock with 48 seconds on the clock.
Battle for control of the ball in the final seconds went to the Marlins, who took the victory when Clark moved in for the shot and score with :01 on the clock.
It was a satisfying finish for VWC, which owned the lead throughout the first half and into the second. The Marlins led 3-1 early and took a 4-2 lead into halftime. VWC continued to lead 5-3 on a Parris goal at 22:10 in the second half, before Christopher Newport ignited it's takeover rally. The Captains scored five unanswered goals in a span of nine minutes to jump out to the 8-5 lead with 3:08 remaining to be played.
Virginia Wesleyan produced the final rally, however, to remain unbeaten in the series between the schools.
Parris led Virginia Wesleyan scoring with four goals, while Nash and Wallace added two each. Sally Allstadt and Elaine Kirby paced CNU with two goals each. VWC outshot CNU, 24-15.
The Marlins return to competition on Saturday, March 22, in Old Dominion Athletic Conference competition, hosting Lynchburg College's Hornets at 1:00 p.m. Lynchburg enters with a 4-1 record overall following Wednesday's 14-13 loss to Roanoke College in a battle between undefeated ODAC leaders.
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN 4 5 - 9
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT 2 6 - 8
Saves - Margie Baker (VWC) 3; Elizabeth Werbiskis (CNU) 7
Scoring
Virginia Wesleyan
Goals - Parris (28:45, 1st, 23:52, 1st, 22:10, 2nd, 0:48, 2nd), Nash (27:51, 1st, 0:58, 2nd), Wallace (10:26, 1st, 2:39, 2nd), Clark (0:01, 2nd); Assists - Parris, Nash (1)
Christopher Newport
Goals - Allstadt (25:20, 1st, 8:42, 2nd), Kirby (19:02, 1st, 12:17, 2nd), Hayes (29:28, 2nd), Pfarr (12:07, 2nd), Silver (7:06, 2nd), Johnson (3:08, 2nd); Assists - Hayes, Millborn, Kirby, Allstadt (1)
—VWC—