Charleston, W. Va – The Golden Eagles faced GMAC opponent Ashland University on Wednesday for their first home match since the middle of February. It would be a nailbiter between the two sides as this one would have to be decided in an extra period of sudden death. 
 
The Basics
Location: Welch Athletic Complex
Score: UC 12, AU 13 (OT)
Records: UC 2-4, AU 3-3
 
How It Happened
The Eagles of Ashland would have an explosive start to the game, scoring four unanswered goals on their attack led by Ashley Fisher. Fisher would contribute immensely with the opening goal of the match as well as two assists off the first four goals. Just when it looked like the Golden Eagles were going to be climbing an uphill battle, Charleston would get on the board late in the quarter after a goal from Darby Stolz off the assist from Tess Yuhas. Despite giving up another goal in the quarter from Ashland's Cassady Becker a minute later, the Golden Eagles would find tow more goals from Gianni Blundell and Madison Partridge. The Eagles would take the 5-3 lead into the second quarter. Nicolette Lospitalier would get into early card trouble as she received two yellow cards in the first quarter alone, taking her out of the game with plenty of lacrosse left to be played. 
 
The two consecutive goals from Charleston that ended the quarter would be matched in the second period with Partridge's two goals in the late stages of the quarter to knot the game at 5-5. The Golden Eagles would limit Ashland to no goals in the period and just four shots. Megan Liston would collect all three shots on frame from the Eagles. The two sides would go into the locker room for the halftime break level at 5-5. 
 
Charleston had clearly found their rhythm on offense as Blundell, Stolz, and Partridge would fire off three more goals for the Golden Eagles at the start of the third period. This would make it seven unanswered goals for Charleston, giving them an 8-5 lead over the Eagles. Ashley Fisher would end the drought for her squad and with back-to-back goals to get Ashland back to within a score of Charleston. Partridge would score her fifth goal of the game to fight the comeback, giving Charleston the 9-7 lead heading to the final quarter of regulation. The Eagles would have enough fight to finish their uphill battle, outscoring Charleston 5-3 to level the game at 12-12. It was Ashley Fisher once again that came up big for her team scoring the final goal of regulation to send the game into a sudden death period. 
 
Rachel Crumbacher, who had been flying around all day for the Eagles, won her ninth draw control to begin the overtime period and Ashley Fisher would take care of the rest. She would score the final goal of the match, breaking the hearts of Charleston as Ashland would escape with the 13-12 victory in overtime. 
 
Up Next
Next week, the Golden Eagles will have their first of three upcoming road matches. They'll travel to Crestview Hills, KY to face Thomas More University at the Republic Bank Field on March 13^th at 3:00 PM.