IRVINE, Calif. – The Eagles celebrated Senior Day with a thrilling triple overtime victory over Long Beach State and an impressive second-half comeback.
Trailing 8-3 at halftime, Concordia promptly scored the first two goals of the half to get back on track. Senior
Samantha-Grace Leyesa and junior
Amanda Morgan each found the back of the net quickly to trim the deficit to 8-5.
A few minutes later, CUI goalie
Yessenia Alvarez made a key stop on a penalty shot to disrupt a great scoring chance for the 49ers. With Long Beach clinging to a 9-7 advantage, the Green and Gold kept their composure on the defensive end and regained possession.
Midway through the second half, CUI sophomore
Kalin DeLuna found a cutting Morgan for a goal right in front of the crease and the pair from San Diego County combined to bring the Eagles within 9-8.
Leyesa converted a clutch penalty shot to knot the game at 9-9 with just under five minutes to play in regulation. That tally ultimately forced overtime but the game was far from over.
After both teams had ample opportunities to cash in during the first two overtime periods, the Eagles were able to convert just before the end of the third overtime. Leyesa shot the ball just as the horn went off and found the back of the net for the game-winner.
To watch the video clip of Leyesa's game-winning goal as the horn sounded, click here.
It was a signature victory for CUI head coach
Michelle Mendoza and her team – one they will not soon forget.
"To keep our mental toughness strong, our physicality and our selflessness, to keep it going for three overtimes was amazing and I honestly could not have asked anything more from my teammates," said Leyesa.
"It was kind of one of those things where I just had to take it and my teammates set me up perfect for it," added Leyesa.
The Eagles have now won two home games and four of their last five scheduled contests. CUI will finish Mendoza's first season at the helm with a road date at UC Irvine on Friday, April 7.
For the full CUI women's lacrosse schedule, click here.
