Women’s Lacrosse Overturns Early Deficit to Defeat No. 17 USC

Monday, March 18

Carson, Calif. / Dignity Health Sports Park

5:00 PM

Dartmouth College

5-2, 0-1IVY

USC

7-3, 1-0Pac-12

Dartmouth

USC

Photo by: Cayla Fernandes

Women’s Lacrosse Overturns Early Deficit to Defeat No. 17 USC

3/18/2024 8:43:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The Big Green outscored the Trojans 12-3 in the second half

By: Nick Romei

CARSON, Calif. – Katie Elders and Katina Christensen combined for nine goals on Monday as the Dartmouth women's lacrosse team overturned a six-goal deficit to defeat No. 17 USC by a score of 17-12 at the Dignity Health Sports Park. Trailing 9-3 midway through the second quarter, the Big Green outscored the Trojans 14-3 over the remainder of the game to pick up the win.

Elders led all scorers with six points after scoring five goals with one assist. Christensen tallied four goals on the day. Catherine Erb and Lucy Murray both found the net on three occasions while Fiona O'Keeffe had a four-point effort with two goals and two assists.

Gisele Todd made seven saves for her third-straight win as the Big Green improve to 5-2 while the loss brings USC to 7-3.

"The game was a battle from start to finish, USC came out firing and we had to refocus and make some in-game adjustments," said Josie Harper Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse Alex McFadden. "I am really proud of the fight that our team played with and how much they trusted one another to execute!"

Trailing 9-3 midway through the second quarter, the Big Green scored twice to bring the deficit down to four going into halftime. The Dartmouth scoring run continued as it rattled off six more goals, coming from Christensen, Murray, Erb and Elders, to take an 11-9 lead.

The Trojans tied the game with two tallies late in the third to make it 11-11 going into the final quarter.

Dartmouth kept its foot on the gas, outscoring USC 6-1 over the final 15 minutes of play to earn the win. The Big Green started the last frame by scoring three-straight woman-up goals. A USC goal by Maddie Dora with 4:58 remaining brought the Big Green lead down to two, but Dartmouth responded with two goals from O'Keeffe and one from Murray.

The Trojans had opened up a 3-0 lead early in the contest. The Big Green scored three of the next four to trail 4-3 going into the next quarter. The Trojans scored five unanswered goals to take a six-goal lead before the Big Green started its 14-3 run.

McFadden finished with ""We are really appreciative for the opportunity to compete against two great teams out west and want to thank everyone who helped make this trip unforgettable. We are looking forward to getting back to Hanover and back to work as we prepare for our next Ivy League matchup."

Dartmouth resumes Ivy League play on Saturday at Scully-Fahey Field against Yale. Opening draw is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the game will be available to stream on NESN+, ESPN+ and Stretch Internet. Tickets for the contest are available to purchase through the Dartmouth Athletics ticket office.