STORRS, Conn.- Eve McGrogan's third goal of the afternoon lifted UConn lacrosse to a 10-9 victory over #24 in Drexel in the season opener for both teams at Morrone Stadium on a chilly Saturday afternoon.

First Quarter: 

Drexel jumped out to an early lead two minutes into the game, with Allison Drake firing the Dragons ahead. McGrogan responded with the first two goals of the season for the Huskies, with a Jenna Giardina goal completing a flurry of goals to build a 3-1 lead for UConn. Drexel cut the lead in half with less than a minute in the quarter, with Ellie Wall converting the free-position shot, with the Huskies clinging onto a 3-2 lead going into the second frame.

Second Quarter: 

Drexel goalie Jenika Cuocco stymied two Rayea Davis shots to keep the Husky attack at bay early in the second. Bridget Finley leveled the score seven minutes into the period at 3-all. Davis would not be denied later in the quarter, springing UConn back in front with two goals in 48 seconds, sending the hosts to a 5-3 halftime lead. 

Third Quarter: 

The Dragons unleashed their offensive prowess in the opening minutes of the third quarter, with Finley and Drake each notching their second goals of the game to again bring Drexel even at 5-5. Drexel and UConn traded goals in the third, with Eliza Bowman getting on the board with her first goal of the season, quickly answered by Drake's third of the afternoon. Giardina's second of the day edged the Huskies in front 7-6, but the theme of the game persisted, as Drexel's Anna Maria Gragnani evened the score at 7-up at the end of the third.

Fourth Quarter:

The visiting Dragons came out swinging in the fourth, with Finley completing a hat-trick of her own, and Bea Buckley notching her first goal of the early season to get Drexel in front 9-7 and put the pressure on the Huskies. Karsyn Burnash brought the Huskies within a goal with a rocket past Cuocco at 9-8. Strong defensive play and a clutch free-position goal from Davis (her third of the afternoon) tied the score at 9-9 with just over four minutes to play. Multiple cards on the Huskies ramped up the intensity and offensive pressure from Drexel, putting UConn on the defensive as the game clock waned. With just over a minute to go, UConn goalkeeper Tori Cini had the first highlight of her Husky career, with a jaw dropping free-position save on a Kate Quinn attempt to send the game to overtime.

Overtime:

The sides traded turnovers early in the extra period, with no shots recorded in the first three minutes of the frame. A clutch draw control by UConn's Abby Beran set the stage for McGrogan's heroics, as the sophomore from Nyack, NY lifted the Huskies to a season-opening win over Drexel, 10-9 in overtime.

Up Next: UConn is back in action Wednesday afternoon at 3pm against in-state opponent Fairfield. Drexel looks to bounce back on Wednesday, heading to Wagner.