W Lacrosse beats #25 Dartmouth in 2OT thriller, now off to a historic start

Michigan ended their 2018 season with a buzzer-beater goal to upset #16 Penn State on the road. It was the biggest win in the program's short going back to 2014 and young first year head coach Hannah Nielsen's career.

Michigan opened 2019 with two straight road victories over Cal (15-10) and UC Davis (17-5) and then opened the home slate with a 20 goal onslaught against Central Michigan on Friday afternoon, winning 20-4. 

Already off to a program-best 3-0 start to the season, the Wolverines took on #25 Dartmouth today in snowy U-M Lacrosse Stadium looking for more history. All the momentum in the world with the Maize & Blue, vying for their second straight win over a ranked opponent.

The first half was a back and forth boxing match, with both teams punching back with goals in response to goals. Michigan tied the game up a 5-5 with 13 seconds left in the first half after Dartmouth had briefly taken the lead with 41 seconds.

Dartmouth struck first in the second half, but four straight Michigan goals gave the Wolverines a 9-6 lead. Dartmouth did not go away quietly though, scoring 4 of the final 5 goals in regulation to tie the game with 27 seconds left.

After a nail-biter scoreless first OT, Molly Garrett buried the shot to give Michigan the 11-10 victory in 2OT. 

Michigan's leading goal scorers were a trio of Nadine Stewart, Lilly Grass and Adriana Pendino who was 2-2 in free position scoring attempts. Caitlin Muir was the teams leading scorer with 1 goal and 3 assists.

This win is the first win in program history at home over a ranked opponent. It's also Michigan's 2nd straight win over a ranked team and it continues Michigan's best start in program history at 4-0.

Head coach Hannah Nielsen now has a winning record at 11-10. Previous coach Jennifer Ulehla won 20 games in FOUR SEASONS.

Michigan will travel West next for a pair of games in the state of Colorado and possibly might have a number next to their name for the first time in program history. Michigan will face #17 Colorado on Sunday at 2pm and then will head down the road to #19 Denver for a game on Tuesday, 2/26.