SV’s Lopez scores in 2OT to defeat Butler
BUTLER TWP — Overtime lacrosse was new for Lorena Lopez, but scoring goals is not.
Seneca Valley’s senior midfielder scored five times against Butler on Thursday, including the decisive tally with 39 seconds left in double-overtime as the Raiders escaped Art Bernardi Stadium with a 7-6 victory.
Butler goalie Lauren LeGrand was under fire in the moments leading up to Lopez’s score. She made two saves on Raider shots before Rachel Humphreys was awarded free position and hit the post with another attempt. That’s when Lopez scooped the ball up and ended the game.
“We were doing a good job of getting to the rebounds,” said Lopez. “I saw that ball on the ground and knew I had to go for it.”
The Raiders (4-1) got off seven shots in the first and second overtime, which totaled eight minutes and 21 seconds. Butler managed two shots in the same span. LeGrand made 10 saves in the game.
“She was unbelievable tonight,” said Butler coach Cory Hurley. “We just couldn’t clear the ball for her.
“She didn’t get credit for a save, but in the fourth quarter, she came out and stick-checked a player before she could get a shot off. She’s heartbroken right now because she gave up the game-winner, but she was not the reason we lost.”
Lopez scored her third goal early in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 5-all. Then after Izzy Skal put the Tornado back on top with 5:54 left in regulation, Lopez knotted things up again just 78 seconds later.
“We’re a young team. Lorena is a captain this year and is embracing that role,” said SV coach Katie Smolter. “She’s setting expectations for herself and the rest of the team and gives us phenomenal leadership.”
Butler (1-3) struggled in the offensive end early. Sidetracked by turnovers, the Golden Tornado did not get a shot off in the first quarter and Lopez’s first two goals had the Raiders leading 2-0 after 12 minutes.
“We didn’t have school today,” said Hurley. “I honestly think that affected us, the girls were out of their routine. We made a lot of mistakes, but never stopped battling.”
Butler’s first two shot attempts netted goals from sophomore Taryn Hilovsky — who scored three times in the game — early in the second frame. Skal and Willow Womack added scores to give Butler a 4-3 lead at halftime.
Humphreys and Lydia Miller both scored once for the Raiders, who had two goalies contribute to the win. Megan Holby made three saves over the first three quarters and Julia Roy made one save afterward.
“It’s nice to have options,” Smolter said of her two netminders.
Due to a number of circumstances, including injuries, the Raiders are not fielding a junior varsity team this year. Six sophomores and two freshmen are on the varsity roster.
The Raiders are off to a fast start with four wins in their first five games.
“As long as we stick together and keep communicating, we can continue to win games,” said Lopez.
