Giordano Buzzer-Beater Defeats OSU

Giordano Buzzer-Beater Defeats OSU

4/16/2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Freshman Cara Giordano connected on a free position shot as time expired to give the Vanderbilt women’s lacrosse team a 9-8 victory over American Lacrosse Conference rival Ohio State Sunday at the VU Lacrosse Complex.

The Buckeyes trailed for nearly 55 minutes before tying the game in with :52 seconds remaining in the second half. Ohio State won the ensuing draw, but was unable to reach their offensive third before Vanderbilt sophomore Sasha Cielak caused her fourth turnover of the game.

Eventually the ball made its way to junior Jennifer Tapscott, and the Commodores set up their offensive with time winding down. In the final 30 seconds, the Commodores would create a number of chances. Sophomore Margie Curran’s shot was saved by OSU goalkeeper Kristen Gilwee — her 19th save of the day — with only 10 seconds remaining. But Vanderbilt got to the loose ball and Giordano was fouled in the eight-meter arc.

The Moorestown, N.J. product ripped a free position shot past Gilwee, and the game’s final horn blowing as the ball hit the back of the net.

Vanderbilt opened the game with three straight goals, keeping Ohio State off the board until the 19th minute of play. OSU’s Kristen Slahor scored the final two goals of the first half to bring the Buckeyes within one, 4-3, at the intermission.

The Dores were unable to pull away in the second half, but kept a one-to-two goal lead until the final minute of the game. Two OSU goals in 18 seconds made Giordano’s last-second heroics necessary.

Senior Kate Hickman scored two goals for the Commodores, while Curran and junior Kendall Thrift also contributed multiple points to the Vanderbilt attack. K.C. Carter led the Buckeyes with three goals and one assist.

Freshman Cameron Clark scored her first career goal in the game’s 41st minute. Sophomore goalkeeper Brooke Shinaberry had a good day between the pipes, making 10 saves and disrupting the Buckeye attack with her aggressive defensive.

For their final home game, the Commodores recognized their four graduating seniors — Hickman, Dana Messinger, Bryn Sedlacek and Christine Tubesing — in a pre-game ceremony.

The Commodores travel to Long Island, N.Y., next weekend, to take on Hofstra on Sunday, April 23, at Noon ET. The season finishes with a road trip to Northwestern (May 5) and Notre Dame (May 7).