NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The Yale women's lacrosse team spent most of Saturday afternoon playing from behind against Columbia at Reese Stadium, as the Lions scored three of the game's first four goals. But the Bulldogs hung tough -- never falling behind by more than two goals -- and eventually tied the game 9-9 on a goal by junior attacker Tess McEvoy with 65 seconds left in regulation. That set the stage for a dramatic overtime victory, as sophomore midfielder Madeleine Gramigna scored the game-winner at 1:22 to earn a 10-9 win. Sophomore goalie Sydney Marks finished with 15 saves.

Youth Day festivities and one of the nicest weather days of the spring so far helped bring a boisterous and large crowd out to Reese Stadium as the Bulldogs played the second game of a doubleheader, following up the Yale men's team's 11-10 win vs. Princeton. The nightcap proved memorable, as the teams spent the entire second half separated by no more than one goal.

Columbia (4-5, 0-3 Ivy League) had led 6-5 at the half, with Yale's goals coming from five different players -- freshman midfielder Amanda Bosland (assisted by junior attacker Hope Hanley), sophomore midfielder Emily Granger, sophomore midfielder Lily Smith, McEvoy and freshman midfielder Addie Zinsner.

That balanced scoring was a key part of the storyline for Yale, as this hard-fought game wound up requiring contributions from all involved.

"We're confident in anyone on our roster to step up and make a play at any given point," said Erica LaGrow, Yale's Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse. "Columbia came out strong, but we matched that intensity."

Granger knotted things up 6-6 with a goal at 16:14 of the second, ending a span of nearly 15 minutes without a goal for either team -- a testament to the defenses and the two goalies, Marks and Columbia's Kelsey Gedin (10 saves).

After Columbia went back ahead 7-6, Yale momentarily grabbed its first lead of the day when sophomore midfielder Taryn Gallagher and McEvoy scored to make it 8-7 Bulldogs. But less than a minute after McEvoy's goal, Columbia attacker Lindsey Ewertsen tied the game, and the Lions then went back ahead on a free position goal by midfielder Taylor Quinn with 5:21 to play.

The final minutes of the game proved nerve-wracking for both sides, as Columbia had a chance to go up by two goals but senior defender Kate Walker caused a turnover in the Yale zone with 3:40 to play. After a save by Gedin, sophomore attacker Kiwi Comizio helped force a Lion turnover on the clear attempt with 90 seconds left. That enabled McEvoy to sling in her 18^th goal of the year, tying the game 9-9. After the Bulldogs came up empty on a pair of free positions in the final 40 seconds, the game went to overtime.

"Tess stepped up and took it upon herself to score that game-tying goal," said LaGrow. "We're really excited by how she's playing and the leadership qualities she has on the offensive end."

The first big play of the extra session came from Walker, who used all of her five-foot-11 frame to reach up and snare the opening draw control. With possession established, the Bulldogs began patiently looking for their chances.

"We put our players in tough, competitive situations in practice and work on responding with composure and confidence," said LaGrow. "They responded well today."

After a free position shot by Granger was partially blocked and scooted wide of the cage, Gallagher tracked it down for a critical ground ball. After another Yale shot went wide, the Bulldogs maintained possession and McEvoy drew a yellow card on Columbia with 1:47 left in overtime.

That man-up advantage proved to be enough for Yale to get the winning tally. Operating inside the 12-meter line, Granger threw a pinpoint pass to Gramigna just outside the crease. With two defenders converging on her, Gramigna turned and fired a low shot past Gedin for the game-winner.

"Man-up is a total team effort," said LaGrow. "Madeleine did a great job of stepping up, along with the entire team. After Granger fed her she showed composure, waited for the right shot and took it."

The 15 saves for Marks was a career high. The Bulldogs also benefitted from a big contribution off the bench by freshman attacker Izzy Nixon, who grabbed three draw controls. Walker also had three draws, and a team-best four ground balls as she helped her team improve to 4-0 at Reese Stadium.

"It was a tremendous help to be playing here at Reese in front of such a great group of supporters," said LaGrow.

The Bulldogs continue their home stand next Saturday, hosting Albany at 3:00 p.m.

Report by Sam Rubin '95 (sam.rubin@yale.edu), Yale Sports Publicity