WATERBURY, Conn.- Caldwell University women's lacrosse freshman Emily Lasko (Jackson, N.J.) netted the game-winning goal in overtime to propel the Cougars to a thrilling 16-15 victory over Post University in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play.
 
The Cougars improve to 3-10 overall and 2-4 in the CACC, while the Eagles drop to 2-11 and 1-6 in conference play.
 
Post took a 3-1 lead over the first eight minutes of the game as senior Jessica Collum (Wayne, N.J.) netted the early Caldwell goal. The Cougars rallied with four straight goals as junior Arden Kassaleh (Pompton Plains, N.J.) netted a pair, while Lasko and freshman Khamyia Spence (Toms River, N.J.) added goal to help Caldwell go ahead 5-3 at halftime.
 
The Eagles netted the first four goals of the second half to take a 7-5 lead at the 26:40 mark. Sophomore Samantha Murphy (Pompton Plains, N.J.) netted back-to-back goals to tie the score at seven.
 
Post answered with a goal but the Cougars rallied with three goals. Senior Rachel Lucia (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.), Kassaleh and Collum each scored to give Caldwell a 10-8 lead midway through the second half.
 
The Eagles closed the gap to 10-9 but Caldwell responded with three goals. Kassaleh netted two, while Collum added one to extend the Cougar lead to 13-9. The teams traded goals as Kassaleh added two for the Caldwell to maintain a 15-11 advantage. Post rallied back with four goals in the final three minutes including the game-tying goal with 27 seconds remaining to force overtime.
 
Caldwell won the opening draw to start the extra period and Lasko netted the game-winner less than a minute into overtime.
 
Kassaleh led the Cougars with seven goals, one assist and five draw controls. Collum added three goals, one assist, two ground balls and two caused turnovers. Lasko tallied two goals and two assists. Murphy totaled two goals, one assist, four ground balls, five caused turnovers and six draw controls. Lucia finished with one goal and one assist, while Spence posted one goal and two ground balls.
 
Freshman Mia Monacelli (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) recorded 18 saves in the win.  
 
The Cougars travel to Nyack College for a CACC contest on Tuesday, April 23 at 3 p.m.