After collecting two consecutive wins against weaker opponents, last week. We had a whole week to prepare for the Mercy Mavericks, a much different kind of opponent. Mercy has long been an ECC Powerhouse, and we had only beaten them once in the past ten years. Their roster is always loaded with Long Islanders, making the rivalry that much more fierce.

I thought our preparation was very good, all week. We were attentive and focused in film and practice was sharper than any other week, I can remember. As the big game approached, I thought we were as ready, as we could be.

I arrived early for the game, yesterday, and was anxious to get underway. The weather was overcast and cold but no rain, was forecast (wrong!).

From the beginning, this was an evenly matched contest, where neither team would ever lead by more than three goals. Mercy led 4 – 3 at the end of the first quarter, but by halftime, Molloy had tied the score at 8. By that time, rain, sometimes heavy, had begun to fall. The rain did not slow either team down, in what turned into, quite a high scoring affair. Midway through the third quarter, the Lions opened up their only two goal lead of the game. At that point, I could not help but feel like “maybe we can not make this a nailbiter”. The Mavericks had their own ideas, though, as they answered back and the score would be tied at 13, heading into the final period. After the Lions struck first, in the fourth, Mercy scored the next four goals and held a 17 – 14 lead, before the teams traded goals and the Mavericks led 18 – 15, with just over five minutes remaining.

In what has been a season full of closely played, disappointing losses, it seemed as though this might be another one. BUT NO! The Lions would not lie down! Molloy responded with a furious three goal surge, culminating with the game tying tally, with only 16 seconds remaining on the clock! 18 – 18, heading to Over Time!

The Lions controlled the ball for most of the first, 3 minute Over Time period, but were unable to find the back of the net. The second Over Time, began with the Lions again gaining possession. This time they would score with 1:43 remaining, for a thrilling, come from behind 19 – 18 Victory!

So, after all of the early season disappointment, we have now won three straight games and beaten the team, who looked to be the favorite to win the Conference! Suddenly, things look a whole lot better for the Molloy Lions! There is still a lot of Lacrosse to played, and we will need to do a lot more winning, in order to attain our goals, but Boy, does this one feel great!