Women's Lax beats Loyola on Miracle, wins Big East

[CAHoya07]

One of the most remarkable finishes that I've ever seen at a Georgetown sporting event occurred yesterday afternoon, and since nobody has posted about it yet, I'm obliged to write about it here.

A late goal put the Loyola Greyhounds up 8-7 on the #3 Hoyas with 5.8 seconds remaining. This would have been a huge upset in women's lacrosse, and with the tiebreaker, it would have given Loyola the Big East title. It would have snapped Georgetown's conference winning streak at 33 and its Big East title streak at 5.

Instead, senior Stephanie Zodtner, on Senior Day nonetheless, raced across the field with 4.8 seconds left (after a penalty), sent the ball into the net a split second before the clock expired, sending the team and Hoya faithful into a frenzy and the game into overtime. I wish somebody had video of it, it was truly an amazing sight.

The Hoyas went on to win the game on a late goal in the second overtime period. The women's lacrosse team has won 34 Big East games in a row and six straight Big East titles. I just don't think the team gets enough credit. I mean, I don't know how the Big East stands as a women's lacrosse conference, but those streaks pretty much speak for themselves.

Admittedly, the Hoyas shouldn't have had to eek out another thriller out against much lower-ranked Loyola, but it still was an amazing win, one of many that the team has had this season. I can't help but think that both the men's and women's lacrosse teams this year should do some serious damage in the NCAA Tournament. Both are really primed for it, although both have also run into some difficulties playing away from home.

GUHoyas recap:
guhoyas.cstv.com/sports/w-lacros/recaps/042906aaa.html

Hoya Blue recap (scroll down to women's lacrosse):
hoyablue.tripod.com/id10.html

[Joe Hoya]

Miracle?

You don't win 34 conference games in a row and 6 straight BIG EAST Championships relying on miracles. Okay well, maybe you do.

Amazing finish, very similar to the men's senior day game last season against Penn State (Hoyas score with 00.6 on the clock to send the game to overtime, where unfortunately the Nits won anyway). Fortunately, we managed to win the game this time.

The game was on Hoyavision at GUHoyas.com, so someone with a membership might be able to access archived footage if they have it. If you can do that, definitely do so, if only for the last few minutes of regulation.

[FLHoya]

The video of the goal (and the one in OT) is now playing when you open up GUHoyas.com. Not nearly as exciting as it would have been in person.

[hoya4ever]

I have gotten the sense of miracle all this season from the women's team. They are immensely talented, their players are top notch, deserve every win because they work hard, but there have been many OTs that no one expected and a couple losses where there shouldn't have been. Every good team slips, I know, it's just that it has happened so often this season that I really have to wonder what is going on.

[CAHoya07]

Well, the Hoyas whupped on #3 Virginia a few weeks ago, and Virginia recently upset top-ranked Duke to take the ACC Championship. Just goes to show that this team can beat anyone in the nation, but they can also lose to anyone. Playoffs should be very interesting for them. Nothing would surprise me, from a national championship to a first round loss.