(Story Courtesy of Colorado College Sports Information Department)
The Colorado College women's lacrosse team tried to mount one of its vaunted NCAA Tournament comebacks, but No. 6 Salisbury University would have none of it and posted a 18-8 victory over the Tigers in the regional semifinal of the 2019 NCAA Women's Division III Lacrosse Championship.
Playing across the street from where CC overcame a 9-0 deficit to defeat Nazareth College 12-11 in double overtime on May 7, 2007, which still stands as the largest comeback in tournament history, this year's Tigers were unable to produce that level of magic.
After trailing by 10 late in the first half, CC cut its deficit to seven when Maggie O'Donnell scored 4:31 into the second half to cap a three-goal surge. The Tigers had a chance to draw even closer on the next possession, but the Salisbury defense forced a turnover and scored to ignite a 3-0 run of its own and restore a 10-goal lead.
Allie Thuet and Avery Bell led the Tigers with two goals apiece. Both of Bell's tallies occurred while the Tigers were down a player.
O'Donnell scored once and set up two others.
Eva King finished with a goal and an assist to become the second player in program history to record 100 points in a single season. She finished the year with 49 goals and 51 assists, and joined former teammate Steph Kellyas the only Tigers to reach that milestone.
Ellie Meyer had an outstanding game in the final game of her career, producing game highs of four caused turnovers and three ground balls. The senior midfielder also picked up a pair of draw controls.
After Thuet leveled the score at 1-1 with an unassisted goal 6:49 into the contest, Salisbury seized control of the game with an 8-1 run midway in the first half.
The Tigers had a couple of chances to minimize the Sea Gulls' big run, but O'Donnell rang a tough-angle shot off the crossbar and then Thuet's stick was checked while launching a free-position shot and the ball went wide of the right post.
Later, with CC trailing 8-2, King smacked the post with a shot from the slot.
Salisbury posted a 26-25 edge in total shots and a 14-13 edge in ground balls. The Sea Gulls also built a 16-12 advantage in draw controls.
Gabby Mongo scored four goals to lead Salisbury, which improved to 18-3.
Lydia McNulty and Emma Skoglund came off the bench to notch three goals apiece for the hosts.
Colorado College finished the season with an 18-2 record and set the program record for victories in a single season.