UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – After a two-hour weather delay pushed the first draw into the evening, the Kenyon College women's lacrosse team delivered a clutch finish Wednesday night at Don Shula Stadium, edging John Carroll University, 14-13, in a North Coast Athletic Conference showdown.
Senior Ashley Quinn delivered the decisive moment, burying the game-winning goal with just 41 seconds remaining to lift the Owls to victory in the back-and-forth affair. With the win, Kenyon improved to 6-7 overall and 2-2 in conference play, while the Blue Streaks dropped to 7-5 overall and 2-2 in NCAC action.
KC struck first once play finally got underway following the lengthy delay. Capitalizing on a John Carroll penalty, Lily Mason converted a free-position opportunity midway through the opening quarter to put the Owls on the board. Moments later, Ashley Auerbach doubled the advantage with an unassisted strike, giving Kenyon an early 2-0 edge.
The Blue Streaks quickly countered, however, knotting the score with a pair of goals in quick succession to close the first frame. The second quarter turned into an offensive shootout as both teams traded momentum in a flurry of scoring runs. Spencer Kirsch sparked Kenyon with a goal assisted by Ella Baxter, while Quinn and Mason each added tallies during a stretch that saw the lead change hands multiple times.
John Carroll briefly surged ahead late in the half, but the Owls responded once again. With under a minute remaining before halftime, Josie DeBruer converted a man-up opportunity off a pass from Delaney Champeau, sending the teams into the break deadlocked at 7-7.
Kenyon found its rhythm in the third quarter. Mason opened the period with a quick strike off an assist from Quinn before Quinn herself took over, netting two consecutive goals, one coming on a man-up opportunity, to push the Owls ahead. Charlotte Skelly added another tally off a feed from Kirsch, capping a four-goal Kenyon surge that built an 11-8 lead heading into the final frame.
Unfortunately, the Blue Streaks refused to fade. John Carroll chipped away at the deficit throughout the fourth quarter, tying the contest at 13-13 with just under three minutes remaining. With tension mounting in the final minute, the Owls delivered the decisive sequence. Lily Mason forced a turnover and scooped the ground ball before Kenyon advanced the ball upfield. Moments later, Quinn found space near the crease and fired home the go-ahead goal with 41 seconds left, sealing the dramatic victory.
Quinn powered the Owls offensively with a season-high five goals, tying the senior's career best, while also adding an assist. Mason followed closely behind with four goals, matching her season high while controlling eight draws and collecting six ground balls in a dominant all-around performance. Kirsch chipped in two goals and an assist, while DeBruer, Skelly, and Auerbach each found the back of the net to round out Kenyon's balanced attack. In total, six different Owls recorded goals and six players registered assists in the victory.
Defensively, goalkeeper Meagan Lacombe anchored the crease with eight saves, improving her season record to 5-7. The Owls also held a 17-13 advantage in draw controls and matched John Carroll with 22 ground balls.
Up next, the Owls return home for another NCAC showdown as they host DePauw University for Alumni Day on Saturday, April 18, with first draw set for 1:00 p.m.
