Kevin M. Neibauer
LaxPhilly- A Division of the Edge of Philly Sports Network.
In Women”s DI action, a riotous comeback fell short with Old Dominion (4-6) riding a 10 point game from Lilly Siskind to get the better of the 4-3 Niagara Purple Eagles.
Let’s Break it Down
The Monarchs came out like royalty with a pair of goals twenty six seconds apart
At 13:51, Siskind (7g, 3a) started her big afternoon with an unassisted marker
Siskind set up Maddie Mullenbach (4g) and ODU was off and running
Lois Garlow (4g,1a) put a temporary stop to the run but, undaunted, ODU rattled off two more.
Corinne Stratton (2g) took advantage of a pretty feed from Siskind followed :58 later with Haley O’Connor (2g, 2a) to push it to 4-1.
Garlow struck again but Sydney Taylor (1g,1a) converted an O’Connor feed to end the first with the Monarchs reigning, 5-2.
Second Quarter
With just :40 played,it was, guess who? Siskind scoring on the advantage.
Lexi Braniecki (4 g) hit net twice. One at 11:20 with the second at 10:28.
A half minute later, Siskind pushed it to 7-4. The run was on.
Mullenbach Claire Porter (1g,3a) and Caroline Shaefer (1g) slammed the door on the first half with Old Dominion holding a six goal lead,10-4.
To the Second Half
It took 1:05 for Siskind to stretch it to 11-4.
Andra Savage (1g, 1a) stopped the rebellion but, twenty three ticks later, it was none other than Siskind with an answer.
Mullenbach hit on the advantage fifty three seconds later and the rout was on.
Niagara was not having any of that and uncorked a furious rally fueled by Garlow, :10 elapsed and Allison McCormick (1g) hit rope.
Eliza Wild (1g), Rachel Crane (3g) on the advantage, followed by two more advantage goals, one from Garlow and the second from Lucy Rugaber (2g) closed the third with Niagara trailing, 13-11.
The six goals were garnered in just 6:16.
Fun Finish Awaits
Jenna Brill (1g) made in seven in a row just :42 into the quarter making it seven goals in 6:58.
Braniecki evened things with the eighth in succession at 13:24.
Haley O’Connor (2g,2a) stopped the uprising making it 14-13.
Mullenbach supplied the go ahead tally with 10:40 to play.
Siskind pushed it to 16-14 before Rachel Crane deposited a short handed goal with 7:57 remaining.
Siskind wasn’t quite finished converting a Porter pass on the advantage to make it, once again, a two goal difference
Crane at 3:36 followed at 2:34 from Lucy Rugaber took it to extra time
Extra Action
Neither club could get a goal in the first Overtime so, off to a sixth stanza
Corinne Stratton ended things at 1:58 to end the epic.
Inside the Game
• Shots were 43-35 for Niagara with On Goal going 34-31 Niagara
• Saves had Niagara with 13 and ODU 17.
• In the Niagara nets, Michelle Messenger went 57:19 allowing 11 goals while stopping 11 shots
Maren Geiger put in 6:45 of game time with 2 saves on 5 shots
• Jenna Peccia went the entire 66:04 for the Monarchs with 17 saves
Comeback Falls Short in Double Overtime

Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.