HIGH POINT, NC – The Winthrop lacrosse team fell 8-7 in overtime to the High Point Panthers Friday evening, but still earned the outright regular season title and the top seed in the upcoming Big South tournament.

Winthrop falls to 6-1 in the Big South and 14-3 overall while High Point improved to 7-9 overall and 5-2 in the conference.

In a low-scoring first half, senior Jenna Kasmarik got the Eagles on the board less than three minutes into the contest on a feed from junior Abigail Blevins.  Just over 10 minutes later, Blevins gave Winthrop a 2-0 lead on a great individual effort. 

High Point then scored three unanswered goals to take its first lead of the game with 5:40 remaining in the half.  It was the first time in six conference games that the Eagles have trailed.  Despite the deficit, Winthrop had a strong finish to the half.  Freshman Katie Clark tied the game on a free-position shot with 1:26 left and Blevins gave the Eagles a 4-3 edge on a little dribbler that beat the High Point goalie with 31 seconds left in the half.

Winthrop had a strong start to the second half, scoring twice in the first five minutes.  Clark and Shannon Gallagher scored for the Eagles, giving them a 6-3 lead with 25:41 left in the contest.  The Panthers then scored three straight to tie the game at 6-6 with 13:11 remaining. 

Clark gave the Eagles the lead back at 7-6 with 9:28 on the clock, converting a free-position attempt.  The Panthers tied the game at 7-7 with 5:46 left in the game.  Neither team was able to score in the final five minutes and the game headed to overtime.

In the first three minutes of overtime, the Eagles controlled the tempo, but was unable to get a goal.  Freshman goalie Alaina Girani came up with a big save in the final seconds to keep the gave level heading into the second three minutes. 

Winthrop again controlled the ball early, but couldn't get anything in the back of the net.  After a saved shot with 1:23 to go, High Point was able to pull ahead with 22 seconds left and then keep the Eagles from getting another shot off.

Freshman Katie Clark finished with three goals while Abigail Blevins added two goals and Shannon Gallagher and Jenna Kasmarik each scored once.  Freshman goalie Alaina Girani finished with nine saves in the loss.

The Eagles will next host the Presbyterian Blue Hose on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the quarterfinals of the Big South Tournament.