BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (4/16/2022) -- The University of Detroit Mercy women's lacrosse team had an early lead, but for the third time this year, it was heartbreak in overtime as the Titans dropped a nailbiter to Youngstown State, 10-9, on Saturday.

It was the second time this year the Titans (1-12, 1-7 MAC) lost an overtime game to YSU (7-7, 5-2 MAC) as the Penguins won 12-11 at home back in early March, and the third overtime setback the red, white and blue have had as they dropped an 18-17 decision to St. Bonaventure a few weeks ago. 

Redshirt sophomore Charlotte Dale, sophomore Cat Kopchia and freshman Leah Bodnar each had two goals apiece, a season-high for Bodnar. Senior Elise Harder had a goal, three draw controls and two ground balls, while senior Taryn McManus recorded a goal, a team-high six draw controls, three ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Freshman Meredith Leavell made 11 saves, one off the season-high 12 she had at Youngstown State in the first meeting, and also had five ground balls.

The Titans found themselves down 8-7 when Dale tied it with a free-position goal with 8:31 left in regulation. After Youngstown State went back in front, Kopchia took a shot that was saved, but Harder was there to collect the ground ball and put it in to knot it at 9-9 with 1:23 remaining.

Leavell then held strong with two saves in the final 49 seconds to send the game into overtime, but in the extra session, YSU won the draw control and had two free position attempts off Titan fouls, with the game-winner coming just 1:31 into play. 

Senior Claire Conway had two caused turnovers and two ground balls, while senior Taylor Cantelon grabbed four draw controls and picked up two GB's.

The Titans outshot the Penguins, 33-27, and had more ground balls, 22-21, and draw controls, 15-8.

Detroit Mercy had a 2-1 lead just five minutes into the game as junior Marina Butler found Bodnar for the score and then freshman Maddy Camm fed sophomore Sarah Meek for a marker with 11:39 on the clock.

Kopchia would give the team the lead at 3-2 early in the second and the red, white and blue ended the first half on a 4-0 run for a 7-3 lead at the break. McManus scored on a free position and junior Annie Gilbert found Bodnar for her second marker. Kopchia had a great effort to get one in and then Dale notched a goal on the free position with 1:04 on the clock.

YSU would then score five in a row in the third to jump in front, 8-7.

Detroit Mercy will be back in action next week as it travels to Akron for a 2:00 p.m. showdown with the Zips.

Game Notes:

• The Titans trail the all-time series, 3-1, as they split last year with the red, white and blue getting a 24-12 road victory 
• The Titans came into the game third in the league and 40th in the nation with 14.92 draw controls per game 
• Kopchia has now notched a point in 11 of the 13 games with a goal in 10 of them
• Harder now has 144 draw controls as she passed Zaynib Hamze for fifth place in school history
• Harder has now registered a point and a goal in 11 of the 13 games and now has 83 goals and 10 assists for 93 points in her career
• Cantelon now has 140 career draw controls for seventh in school history
• McManus came into the game eighth in the league with 1.08 caused turnovers per game as she now has 49 career caused turnovers, tied for ninth in school history
• McManus' career-high in draw controls was eight last season at Kent State
• Dale has recorded a point in 10 games and scored a goal in eight of the 12 she has played 
• Conway has totaled 51 ground balls and 23 caused turnovers in her career
• Bodnar had just three goals coming into the contest

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