ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Winthrop lacrosse won its season opener in thrilling overtime fashion 8-7 at home against Kennesaw State on Saturday after a last-second goal from Emily Hollinger.

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FIRST PERIOD

• Winthrop earned the first draw control of the period by Ava-Claire Collins
• Turnovers were exchanged back and forth between Kennesaw and Winthrop until a free position shot by Kennesaw's Lavona Watkins earned the first goal of the game
• Winthrop battled back quickly with an unassisted goal by Christina Warren, tying the game 1-1
• It was a 1-1 game until a goal by Lily Davis unassisted pushed Winthrop's lead to 2-1 at the 4:12 mark
• The game remained 2-1 until a goal from Emily Hollinger added to Winthrop's lead, making it 3-1
• Winthrop's defense stayed strong, holding the Owls to only one goal in the period

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SECOND PERIOD

• Winthrop started the second period with a free position attempt by Olivia Poton, which was saved by Kennesaw State's goal keeper, Mia Nardi
• Kennesaw made a shot on goal, which was saved by Winthrop goalkeeper Mikaylah Lindsay
• Winthrop got the first goal of the period by Gabby Pierpont after a successful clear attempt, bringing the score 4-1
• The game remained 4-1 until an unassisted goal by Kennesaw State's Caleigh Shore edged into Winthrop's lead, making it a 4-2 game
• Shore then notched another goal on the day, narrowing in on the Eagles' lead, 4-3
• An unassisted goal from Marleigh Belinfanti tied the game 4-4 at the end of the period

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THIRD PERIOD

• Winthrop earned the first draw control of the period by Pierpont
• Both teams struggled to get on the board, with the Eagles shooting multiple high and wide attempts on goal
• Kennesaw State took the lead at 6:02 with an unassisted goal by Lexi Tinkler
• Kennesaw's lead increased 6-4 after a free position shot by Shannon Harrington was successful
• Winthrop was held goalless in the third period

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FOURTH PERIOD

• Winthrop started the fourth period with a trio of missed goal attempts
• Both teams were left scoreless for the period until an unassisted goal from Tori Iannotti at 6:54 put the Eagles within one, 6-5
• A successful clear attempt by Kennesaw earned Watkins her second goal of the game, increasing the Owls' lead 7-5
• Hollinger netted her second goal of the game on a free position shot, putting the Eagles within one, 7-6
• Collins scored the game-tying goal with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter, sending the game into overtime

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FIFTH PERIOD (OT)

• Pierpont got the draw control to start the fifth period for the Eagles
• Turnovers by Watkins and Shore allowed a ground ball pickup by Davis and the Eagles to have a successful clear attempt
• Hollinger put the game-winning goal in with nine seconds remaining on the clock, with an assist from Sofia Sabitani, with the Eagles winning 8-7

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INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Hollinger earned her first hat trick of the season and led the team in goals (3)
• Davis led the team in ground balls (7)
• The Eagles led in ground balls 24-18
• The Eagles caused 26 turnovers to the Owls, who caused 16 to Winthrop
• Winthrop went 24-26 in clear attempts

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UP NEXT
The Eagles are back home this Wednesday for their Morgan's Message game against Campbell with a 4:00 p.m. start.