With a double overtime win for their season opener, the Rollins women’s lacrosse team had a thrilling first home game. Facing off against the No. 24 Florida Tech Panthers, the No. 19 Tars secured a 15-14 win on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Getting the Tars started, Delanie Abere (‘26) scored 30 seconds into the first quarter. Less than a minute later, the Panthers responded with a goal of their own, tying the score 1-1 and proving that neither team would go down without a fight.
The Tars and Panthers went back and forth with possession and goals, with Abere scoring again, followed by a Florida Tech goal and another for the Tars by Tess Hovivian (‘27).
The game was tied 3-3 going into the second quarter, but Rollins pushed ahead with back-to-back goals from Fiona Rizzo (‘28) and redshirt senior Molly Mendes. Florida Tech responded with three unanswered goals, giving them a 6-5 lead.
Not backing down, Kali Gagnon (‘28) scored twice in quick succession, followed by a goal from Carsyn Christel (‘27), giving the Tars an 8-6 lead to close out the second quarter.
Florida Tech refused to give up the lead easily, opening the third quarter with two consecutive scores. Five minutes later, the Tars regained possession and fought to get a lead with an unassisted goal by Chloe Pierini (‘27).
The Panthers and Tars continued to fight back and forth, but the Tars pushed ahead with a hat trick by Abere, giving them an 11-9 lead.
The fourth quarter began tied at 11-11, but momentum shifted toward Florida Tech as they scored two straight goals to take the lead. The Tars and Panthers battled in a tight exchange, but the Tars tied the fourth quarter with two consecutive goals by Mendes. The fourth quarter ended with a 14-14 tie, putting the game into overtime.
Florida Tech held possession in the opening of the extra period but was unable to get the lead due to two major stops by Rollins goalie Alyssa Lentz (‘28). The Tars also remained scoreless in this period with strong defensive stops by the Panthers, keeping it tied 14-14 and pushing the game into a second overtime.
Opening the second overtime, the Tars were given a yellow card, allowing for a free-position attempt for the Panthers. Lentz delivered another big stop, totaling 10 saves for the night. With two minutes left, Gabi Yerardi (‘27) broke away to score, giving Rollins their first win of the season, 15-14.
Rollins outshot Florida Tech 8-22. The Panthers recorded 17 saves, while Rollins finished with 10.
The Tars continued with a 12–9 victory over Colorado Mesa on Friday, Feb. 13. Looking ahead, the Tars will face off against Saint Leo on Wednesday, Feb. 18 and Lenoir-Rhyne on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Comments are closed.