April 12, 2015
Box Score | Green’s Photos 
Peters and Lockwood Interview | Swezey InterviewÂ
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When the Vanderbilt lacrosse team gained possession in the second overtime — a sudden death period — the pace quickly changed.Â
After taking a more conserative approach in the first overtime, the Commodores decided to push the pace — and their fastbreak offense paid off in a big way.Â
Caroline Peters scored a sudden-death goal two minutes into the second overtime on an assist by Amanda Lockwood as Vanderbilt capped off a huge 10-9 come-from-behind win against Connecticut on Sunday afternoon at the VU Lacrosse Complex on Senior Day.
“It feels amazing,” coach Cathy Swezey said. “It goes into the preparation that goes into a week. But it’s all about a year. These kids have worked so hard, and they so deserve a moment like this. To be able to tell them you just got their moment, I couldn’t be prouder of them. I’m so happy about it.”
After a UConn turnover, the Commodores pushed the ball up the field and Lockwood found Peters, who fired a shot high to the right and past Connecticut goalkeeper Shannon Nee for the game-winner. It was Vanderbilt’s first lead of the game since 11:15 left in the first half. Vanderbilt (6-8, 3-2 BIG EAST) picked up its third straight win, rallying back from a three-goal deficit in the second half.
“We stressed a lot (about) fastbreaking,” Peters said. “With Amanda’s speed, she really drew a lot of the girls. It opened up a lot of us on the other side. And we really trusted each other and found each other, and scored.”
Lockwood, who tied a career-high with four goals and set a personal-best with five points, started the rally when Vanderbilt trailed 8-5 with 19:20 left in regulation. She picked up her third goal of the game with 18:46 left, Peters followed wih a goal a couple minutes later and then Lockwood tied it up with 5:37 remaining.
“I had such a great feeling,” Lockwood said. “I trust every single person on the team. I knew we were going to come out ahead.”
Both teams scored in the first half of the first overtime. Connecticut (8-5, 3-1) briefly went ahead 9-8 with 29 seconds remaining in the period. But Alexa Kunowsky responded with a goal on a feed from Mallory Schonk with just 12 seconds left in the first half. In the second half of the first overtime, with time winding down, goalkeeper Maddie Kratz made a huge save as time expired to force a second overtime. It was one of 11 saves for Kratz.
“I think this game, more than any game, I think even if we were down, we felt ahead and in control of the game,” Peters said. “We just came back and won.”
Peters and Kunowsky scored twice, Jill Doherty and Emma Dagres each scored. Doherty and Schonk also added assists.
Vanderbilt stays home to play Marquette at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the VU Lacrosse Complex for the final home game of the season.
