Austin Peay Rallies to Defeat Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Samantha Houttekier tallied a game-high nine points to power Austin Peay to a 17-16 come-from-behind victory over Canisius in collegiate women's lacrosse action Friday afternoon at Morgan Bros. Field in Clarksville, Tenn.

With the win, Austin Peay improved to 3-1 overall. The Golden Griffins dropped to 4-2 overall with the setback.

Houttekier scored a game-high six goals and dished out three assists to guide an APSU comeback that saw the Governors outscore Canisius by a 10-5 margin in the second half to overcome an 11-6 halftime deficit. Kearston Jackson and Lauryn Warfield each tallied hat tricks while Warfield also led the charge with seven draw controls and five ground balls. Goaltender Erin-Kate Roeder earned the victory in net, finishing with nine saves.

Sophomore Katie Adams scored a team-best six goals and added two assists for Canisius. Freshman Ella Forcucci and sophomore Lauren Matyka each turned in hat tricks, with Forcucci pitched in a pair of assists for a five-point afternoon. Freshman Brooklyn Sverdrup won a program-record 13 draw controls for the Blue and Gold.

Trailing by five at the start of the third quarter, APSU used a 6-1 run over the opening 10 minutes of the second half to take its first lead of the game, 13-12.

A free-position goal from Adams momentarily brought the Griffs level, only to see the Governors rattle off three unanswered goals to take their largest lead of the game, 16-13, with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Canisius responded to the APSU surge, recording three straight goals in a 2:58 stretch midway through the fourth to tie the game at 16-16 with just over four minutes to play.

Houttekier restored momentum in the Governors favor with less than two minutes remaining, converting on a free-position opportunity to give the home team a 17-16 lead. APSU kept Canisius from getting a chance at the equalizer, winning the ensuing draw control and maintaining possession through the final buzzer to give the Governors their first home win in program history.

Canisius quickly jumped out front to open the contest, scoring three straight goals in the opening five minutes, only to see APSU respond with two goals of its own in a 2:04 span to make it a one-goal game in the middle stages of the first.

The Blue and Gold pushed forward, netting five consecutive goals to highlight a 7-2 stretch that allowed Canisius to build a 10-4 cushion with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.

Houttekier began the comeback moments later, tallying her second goal of the game to kickstart a 3-1 stretch for APSU that ran until the end of second quarter, setting the scene for the Governors' second-half comeback.

GAME NOTES
• Friday's contest served as the first meeting between the two programs as Austin Peay is in its inaugural season of competition.
• Forcucci has scored three-or-more goals in all six of her collegiate appearances, extending her program record for most consecutive games with three-or-more goals to start a collegiate career.
• Adams' six goals and eight points established career highs in both categories for the sophomore attacker.
• Sverdrup's 13 draw controls broke Ashley Bull's previous school record of 12 draw controls, set at Monmouth on April 8, 2017.
• Canisius won the battle in the circle, recording 21 draw controls to Austin Peay's 13.

UP NEXT
Canisius returns home with a non conference tilt with Mercyhurst on March 5. Game time between the Griffs and Lakers is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Demske Sports Complex in Buffalo, N.Y. and the game will air on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

#25 Katie Adams: A; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#20 Lauren Matyka: M; 5' 4"; Junior

#24 Brooklyn Sverdrup: M; 5' 9"; Freshman

#19 Ella Forcucci: A; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#25 Katie Adams
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: A

#20 Lauren Matyka
: 5' 4"; Junior
: M

#24 Brooklyn Sverdrup
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: M

#19 Ella Forcucci
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: A