Despite struggling through an even game and displaying a noble effort through over 65 minutes of play, the Villanova women’s lacrosse team (3-13, 0-6 Patriot League) lost in a double overtime thriller against Lafayette (6-8, 2-3) in Easton on Saturday. The match saw scoring from multiple players, including three from Becky Gardner and Taylor Lucy, two from Kathleen Kelly and Christina Bahrs, along with two assists each from Kelly and Jamie Schneider.

The two teams transferred goals back and forth throughout the entire game. Lafayette struck first, scoring two goals, each less than a minute into the match. Villanova struck back, however, with three goals of their own. Taylor McKenna put the Wildcats on the scoreboard with 26:57 to go in the half, and senior Cindy Koza tied up the game just two minutes later. ‘Nova took its first lead in the game with Lucy’s first of the game off a pass from Alex Garvey.

The Wildcat lead only lasted three minutes though, as the Leopards went on a four-goal scoring run starting at the 22:54 mark. Lucy connected with Schneider to score her second goal of the game, cutting the Lafayette lead down to two. After a one-goal retaliation from Lafayette, ‘Nova went on its second three-goal run of the game. Bahrs scored off of a free position shot with 10:10 to go in the half, and Schneider picked up her second helper of the game only 14 seconds later on Becky Gardner’s goal. Sophomore Kelly tied the game with an unassisted goal. Although the Leopards took the lead again a minute later, Gardner scored her second of the game 1:04 before the buzzer to send the teams tied 8-8 into the half.

The second half showed less offensive action than the first half, but equal excitement. After an early goal from Lafayette, the game became a defensive battle for almost 15 minutes. Villanova broke the scoring drought with two goals from Bahrs and Stevie McFadden. Kathleen Kelly picked up an assist off of McFadden’s goal. The game tied for the sixth time when Lafayette scored at 6:18 to make the score 10-10. Kelly’s unassisted goal with 1:03 remaining in regulation seemingly clinched a Villanova victory. Lafayette spoiled this vision for the ‘Cats, however, retying the match at 11 with 34 seconds left in the half.

The Wildcats struck first two minutes into overtime, with Lucy netting her third of the game. Nevertheless, the Leopards struck back with two goals less than 20 seconds apart. Continuing their season-long tenacity, Villanova performed some last second heroics of their own. Gardner scored her third and final Villanova goal of the game with 48 seconds remaining in the first overtime, sending the battle into a second sudden death overtime.

Despite even play by both teams throughout the double overtime, Lafayette’s Samantha Ziegler scored at the 1:32 mark to clinch a victory for the Leopards. Jessica Brozena made 13 saves on the way to picking up a loss.

The Villanova women’s lacrosse team will play their final game of the 2006 season on Tuesday away versus St. Joseph’s. The game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.