OSKALOOSA, Iowa – University of Northwestern Women's Lacrosse traveled to William Penn University in Iowa for their season opener on Thursday. The Eagles took an early 3-0 lead and led until the final two minutes of regulation as the Statesmen rallied to win 16-15 in overtime.
 
Samantha Wiebold (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) scored the first goal of the season for the Eagles to put Northwestern up 1-0 midway through the first quarter. Cara Smith (Watertown, Wis./Watertown) doubled UNW's lead a minute and a half later with Abby Scheel (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) assisting. Ava Whitcomb (Otsego, Minn./Rogers) followed just over a minute later to put the Eagles up 3-0 within the first nine minutes of the game.
 
The Statesmen took advantage of a player-up opportunity to get on the scoreboard, but Scheel added one more UNW goal in the first quarter to put Northwestern up 4-1 at the end of the opening frame.
 
Emma Snyder (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) put the Eagles up 5-1 early in the second quarter with a goal. William Penn answered with a goal two minutes later, but Whitcomb scored her second goal of the game just two minutes later with Maddie Hauer (Wausau, Wis./Wausau West) assisting on the player-up opportunity. Again the Statesmen scored, and again the Eagles answered as Alyssa Paul (Farmington, Minn./Farmington) put UNW up 7-3 with 5:52 to go before halftime.
 
William Penn strung together back-to-back goals in the final few minutes of the second half to cut UNW's lead down to 6-4. With 1:50 to go before the half, Paul scored her second goal of the game to send the Eagles to halftime up 7-4.
 
Northwestern and William Penn played to an even 3-3 score in the third quarter, sending the game to the fourth quarter with UNW up 11-8. Lauren Parr scored less than three minutes in to put UNW up by four goals, leading 12-8 with 13:28 to go. The Statesmen answered with another goal to cut their deficit back down to three, but Wiebold proceeded to score her second goal of the day to put Northwestern back up by four again, leading 13-9 with 12:04 on the clock.
 
With time running short, the Statesmen found a spark and scored three consecutive goals to pull themselves within one of the Eagles, who still led 13-12. Whitcomb followed with her fifth goal of the day to give the Eagles some breathing room, now back up by two goals with less than five minutes remaining. The Statesmen went on to score thrice in a row for the second time in the quarter, taking the lead for the first time all game with just 1:51 remaining in regulation.
 
The Eagles were able to force a Statesman turnover to get the ball back with just half a minute left in regulation for one final attack on the goal. Scheel got her opportunity with a foul call that set up a free-position attempt with just 17 seconds remaining. The junior's shot flew true to score her second goal of the game, tying up the contest and effectively sending the game to overtime.
 
In overtime, the Statesmen won the opening draw control. They then ran downfield and managed to draw a foul that created a free-position attempt. The shot found the back of the Eagles' net as William Penn managed to complete the 16-15 comeback win.
 
Whitecomb led UNW with five goals in the game. Scheel and Wiebold followed with two each. Maddie Hauer (Wausau, Wis./Wausau West) led the defense with three caused turnovers. Wiebold had a team-high nine draw controls.
 
Up next, Northwestern travels to Virginia for the first of three games to be played during UNW's spring break. The Eagles will take on Randolph College on Wednesday, March 8 at 5:00pm (4:00pm central) at WildCat Stadium in Lynchburg.