Wootton mounts massive comeback in overtime win

By Ryan Mink
rmink@digitalsports.com

Wootton was in this position just last Friday, trailing by a few goals with time ticking down in the second half.

This time, Coach Anne-Marie Steppling waved her arms from the sideline, motioning to the visiting Patriots crowd to stand up and get loud. This time, the Patriots were going to come all the way back.

Wootton came back from three goals behind in less than two minutes Monday to force overtime, where the Patriots went on to beat Walter Johnson, 14-12.

It came just three days after defending 4A West region champion Wootton (3-1) mounted a huge comeback only to fall short to Churchill for its first county loss since 2007.

“We really needed to come back after that loss because it was pretty harsh,” Wootton midfielder Erika Burns said. “This was a good way to win it.”

Burns scored the first goal in overtime, burying a shot in the right side of the net with four seconds remaining in the first extra period.  It was her first goal of the game.

The Patriots were led in scoring by Natasha Hanacek, who notched four goals. Melissa Frohna and Raleigh Meddings each had three goals. Meddings scored the game-tying goal with 1:04 left in regulation.

Walter Johnson (3-1), who won its opening three games under first-year Coach Jen Greenberg by a combined score of 53-12, was in control for much of the game. The Wildcats took a 7-6 lead into halftime, largely on three first-half goals by Tess Petesch.

The Wildcats then scored the first two goals in the second half, the second by Petesh. Wootton responded with goals by Meddings and Amy Eaton, but Walter Johnson again stormed back with two more goals, this time from Rachel Skay and Abby Bieber.

But then Petesh was given a yellow card by the officials, giving Wootton an opening with her on the sideline. The Patriots capitalized, notching a goal at 1:55 from Hanacek, another just 12 seconds later by Melissa Frohna and the final in regulation at 1:04 from Meddings.

Wootton’s Caroline Stapleton was also huge in the comeback because she combined with Burns to win critical face-offs that gave the Patriots needed possession.

“We were just trying to stay positive because when we try we know we can do it,” Meddings said. “We have a really quick transition so as long as we put that into play then we know we’ve got it.”

Once she sent the game into overtime, Meddings said she definitely knew the Patriots had it. Wootton lost the first face-off but goalie Michelle Bastani save a free-position shot.

Walter Johnson didn’t have another possession after that until it was trailing by three goals with less than a minute left in the second overtime.

“We lost the game due to 50/50 balls,” Coach Greenberg said. “When it was on the ground [Wootton] wanted it every time. That wasn’t us today. I think next game we will be on fire and show what Walter Johnson lacrosse is about.”