This afternoon, on a picture-perfect day in the Bear Cage, the girls’ lacrosse team topped Columbia Prep, 13-12, in sudden death double-overtime to even their PSAA record at 2-2.

The Bears dominated the first half, thanks in large part to Ava McCormick’s play at the draw, leading by as many as four at one point before taking a 10-8 lead into the half. The Lions stormed back in the second half and held a 12-11 lead with less than a minute left when Shannuel Lamptey sent the game into overtime with a free position goal.

In the first overtime period, both teams had excellent looks at a game-winning shot, but came up empty. Morgan Ruggieri nearly ended it in the final seconds, but sent a rocket off the face mask of the Columbia goalie as the game moved to a second overtime.

In the second extra period, Stony Brook never relinquished possession after another draw control from McCormick. After several Blue and White shots were turned away by the Lions’ netminder, Ruggieri drew a foul and scored from the free position to end the thriller, sending the Bears into a euphoric celebration.

Wura Obasanjo and McCormick each notched 3 goals and an assist while McCormick added 9 draw controls. Ruggieri finished with a hat trick and 4 draw controls while Lamptey recorded 2 goals and 6 ground balls. Lulu Ota and Nadia Hall each added a goal and Kate DiRuggiero stopped 12 shots in net.

Coupled with Wednesday’s 14-5 win over Avenues, this is the Bears’ first winning streak since a pair of wins in 2001 when the Blue and White turned back Shoreham-Wading River, 13-11, on March 28 and Comsewogue, 19-9, on April 2. The Bears are back in action on Tuesday in a league match-up at Staten Island Academy.

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