The Lindenwood lacrosse team (0-1) suffered a tough 12-11 overtime loss to Kent State (1-0) in the season opener on Friday afternoon from Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Mo.

GAME OVERVIEW
Lindenwood came out firing, outshooting the Golden Flashes 14-5 in the first quarter. The Lions scored three goals before the midway point of the frame, including a pair from Alissa DiGiacinto. DiGiacinto scored once again with less than three minutes to play in the first, growing the Lindenwood lead to 4-1 after one.

After Kent State opened the scoring in the second to cut the deficit to 4-2, Lindenwood responded quickly off the stick of Reese Krieger who made the score 5-2 with 7:26 to play in the opening half. A few minutes later, Luci Selander joined the scoring efforts, growing the lead to 6-2, which would be the score at halftime. In the opening half, Lindenwood limited the Golden Flashes to nine shots.

Elise Fawcett scored her first collegiate goal to begin the third, assisted by Tatum Bryant, extending the advantage to 7-2. Following a Kent State goal, Nicole Gorman ripped one past the Golden Flashes goalie from a free-position attempt, making the score 8-3 in favor of the Lions with 8:26 to go in the third. Kent State scored the next two, before Carly Thiel ended the mini run. The Black and Gold led 9-6 after three.

In the fourth, Kent State got two quick ones, cutting the deficit to 9-8 with 11 minutes to go. Selander gave the Lions some cushion with her second of the day, but the Golden Flashes responded quickly again to get the deficit back to one at 10-9 with 10:26 to play. Kent State's goalie made some big saves, keeping the game close down the stretch. With 6:19 to go, KSU was able to tie the game and a few minutes later took the lead, 11-10.

It was Lindenwood's turn to answer back and they did thanks to Charlize Vang who netted the game-tying goal off a feed from DiGiacinto with 2:49 to go. The Golden Flashes won the ensuing draw control, but Taylor Coughlin made a big save, keeping the game tied. Lindenwood worked the clock and tried to set up for a game-winner but an attempt from Krieger was stopped by the Golden Flashes netminder with a half a minute to go and the game headed to overtime.

In the extra session, Kent State hit the post early, but the game remained tied. However, the Golden Flashes were able to break through just over two minutes into overtime and earn the 12-11 win.

GAME LEADERS
Alyssa DiGiacinto (three goals, two assists, 10 draw controls)
Carly Theil (two goals, two caused turnovers, three ground balls)
Luci Selander (two goals, three assists)

UP NEXT
The Lions will head to Ypsilanti, Mich. for a matchup with Eastern Michigan on Wednesday. February 11. First Draw is set for 3:00 p.m.