by Mark Macyk | LaxMagazine.com
Rollins and Limestone have ended the last two seasons by playing
each other. It's been kind of a bowl game. A season-ending showdown
by Division II's top two Southern teams, where pride was certainly
on the line but the postseason was basically wrapped up.
This year Rollins and Limestone played in February, because of
finals. It could give Rollins the boost it needs to reach its
first-ever NCAA tournament.
Rollins defeated Limestone 11-10 on Saturday in a crazy,
back-and-forth game that provides the first shake up to the South
Region's playoff race.
Limestone's Brittany Howard tied the game for the ninth and final
time, 10-10, on a free position with 13:33 remaining in the second
half. That score held until Cat Kelley took a free position with
1:21 remaining and the ball was flicked into the net on the ensuing
scramble to put Rollins ahead 11-10.
Rollins's Kelly Thayer grabbed the ensuing draw and the Tars ticked
a minute off the clock, but Limestone's Samantha Cock caused a
turnover with 13 seconds left. Limestone whipped a 40-yard pass
downfield to Sylvia Queener, who was fouled, setting up a free
position with four seconds left. Rollins committed another foul,
shifting the final shot to the center hash. Rollins goalie Elyse De
Lisle then delivered the biggest save in program history and sealed
the victory.
The game featured nine lead changes and only once, when Limestone's
Sam McCarrick scored to make it 7-5 with 28 minutes remaining in
the second half, did a team lead by more than one goal.
"Just one of those games you love to be a part of," said Rollins
coach Dennis Short. "Both teams played fair, but played incredibly
hard. It was a 50/50 game. Play that game 10 times it's going to be
a question mark outcome every time."
By emerging out of that 50/50 coin flip, behind a flicked goal and
an enormous save, Rollins (4-0) has vaulted itself to the top of
the South Region playoff discussion. Every win counts in a region
where six top 15 teams battle for three postseason spots.
Last season Rollins defeated Limestone, 13-9, in the regular-season
finale, but Limestone was undefeated at the time. Rollins had
already lost in-region to West Chester and Lock Haven. West
Chester, Lock Haven and Limestone went on to the NCAAs and
Limestone advanced to the national championship game.
"Winning early doesn't change anything," Short said. "We still have
to win every game on the schedule... It's a huge game. A must-win
game. It just reinforces the confidence we have in ourselves."
Rollins must now make certain it doesn't stumble against any other
South foes. That starts Friday against No. 13 Mercyhurst. Other
chances for setbacks loom on March 15 when No. 4 Lock Haven comes
to town and April 11 against surprisingly tough first-year program
Florida Southern.
But Rollins controls its own destiny and has something more
important to fall back on than an early-season marquee win: senior
leadership. Rollins is in its fifth year as a program and the
current seniors are the result of its first real recruiting
class.
"We've lacked that seasoned group of players who know how to win
games," Short said. "It's a special group of kids. In my 19 years
of coaching, it's one of the most driven."
Kelley, one of those seniors, leads the team with 17 points (10
goals, seven assists). Her classmate Tori Snow has six goals and
one assist. Junior Sarah Ann Showell leads the team with 11 goals
and her classmate Erica Pagliarulo has nine goals and two
assists.
"They've been through every stage of the program," Short said. "Cat
Kelley probably played one of her best games ever [against
Limestone]. Add a seasoned class of juniors that has played every
game of their entire careers... We didn't lose much."
Limestone (3-1) still has a solid chance at making the playoffs as
well. The Saints bounced back Sunday with a 20-8 win over St. Leo.
Showdowns with Mercyhurst, Lock Haven and No. 12 Gannon now loom as
must-wins for Limestone.
They can draw on Saturday's game, a game either team could have
won.
"I'll be honest that whole game was just fun," Short said. "I love
those games. We'd rather play that game 17 times, win or lose."
Florida Southern Keeps Rolling
Rollins wasn't the only Florida team to pull an upset over a
higher-ranked opponent this weekend. Florida Southern, which sits
an hour away down I-4, shocked then No. 10 Mercyhurst, 11-6, on
Saturday. It was Florida Southern's second-ever game.
Seven different players scored for the Mocs, who never trailed.
Mara Mason, who played last season at NJCAA Champion Monroe CC, led
the way with two goals and two assists. Goalie Katie Hammerer had
eight saves. The Mocs (3-0) followed that up with a 14-2 win over
Lees-McRae on Tuesday.
Florida Southern continues its swing through the Carolinas when it
takes on Erskine on Thursday.
Le Moyne Wins Big
Preseason No. 1 Le Moyne started its season with a bang, defeating
visiting Notre Dame (Ohio) 17-1 on Sunday. Junior attacker Brenna
Bauer had a career-best eight points on five goals and three
assists.
Le Moyne visits East Stroudsburg on Monday.
Ruane Shepherding Rams to Late Victories
Shepherd is making comebacks a habit in the early season. The Rams
(2-0) rallied to defeat Howard in triple overtime, 20-19, in the
season-opener on Feb. 19 and came from behind to defeat Shenandoah,
8-7, on Saturday.
Against Howard, junior attack Nicole Ruane had six goals including
the game-winner in sudden death, to give coach Meghan Keelan a
victory in her debut. Ruane followed that up with another six
goals, and another game-winner, on a free-position with 1:34
remaining, to lead the Rams past Shenandoah.
Shepherd heads to Urbana on Friday.
