via press release – photo by Amanda Stratford Photography   MELBOURNE, Fla. (Women’s Lacrosse) – Trailing New Haven 8-5 in the second half Monday night, Florida Tech (5-1) rattled off six of the next eight goals, including the game winner by Allie Modica, to knock off the 6^th-ranked Chargers 11-10 in overtime at Florida Tech Panther Stadium. The victory is a major step for the women’s lacrosse team as it was the first against a ranked opponent in the program’s two-year history. Modica paced Florida Tech with a game-high five points on four goals and an assist. The Vero Beach-product accounted for three of the Panthers’ seven second half goals, including the game-tying score with 6:34 left on the clock and the eventual game winner in extra time. Sam Schiano also had a strong game recording a hat trick whileCaroline Dunleavey added two goals against the Chargers. Mary Gormley and Sarah Kapinos each scored once in the game. Corinne Fisher started the scoring with her unassisted goal at the 21:48 mark to give NHU a 1-0 lead and kick off a 6-2 run by the Chargers to take a four goal advantage with 3:56 remaining in the first half. Modica’s first tally came with 20 seconds remaining on the clock to make it a 6-3 game at halftime. Bringing the momentum into the second frame, Gormley and Modica would each score to open the half and cut the deficit to 6-5 with 25:37 left. However, NHU would answer with consecutive goals by Jessica Mazliah and Alicia Busco to bump its lead back to three. Schiano’s rocket to the top corner cut it to two, but that would, again, be answered by the Chargers on Fisher’s free possession tally with 11:09 remaining to return it to a three score margin. With the upset-bid slipping, head coach Corinne Desrosierscalled a timeout to get the team settled and back to playing their game. The coaching session seemed to have done the job as the Panthers would rally with four goals over a span of 6:24 to take their first lead of the game 10-9 with 3:24 remaining. However, a late foul provided Mazliah the equalizing opportunity for her team with less than two minutes left. The sophomore converted her free possession attempt and knotted it up at10-10 to force overtime. NHU won the opening draw in the extra period and had the chance to win it although a timely caused turnover by Kelly Sullivan got the ball back for her team and gave Modica the opportunity to close it out, which she did with 36 seconds remaining in the first overtime. “We came out with a very specific game plan to play a great Top 10 New Haven team, but we reminded the girls that we play better as the underdogs,” stated Desroisers. “The pressure was all on New Haven. We told them to just go out and enjoy the spirit of the game and the joy of competition. Have fun. Well they did, and we won it. And we couldn’t be more proud of these girls.” The Panthers won despite having fewer shots (23-19) and ground balls (15-14) than the Chargers. FIT did, however, snag one more draw control (15-14) and finish a perfect 2-of-2 on is free possession attempts. New Haven, on the other hand, went 3-of-6 on its opportunities and it was mainly due to the exceptional play of Stephanie Stuart (5-1) who made six saves in the game, all on shots from five yards and closer. Stuart’s counterpart, Alyssa Gianotti (1-1), could not handle the accuracy of the Panther’s shooters on the night, finishing with just one save. Gianotti would be relieved by Marissa McDermott (1-1) late in the second half, however she fared no better and allowed FIT’s final two goals to earn the loss. Mazliah led the Chargers in scoring with two goals and two assists and Maya Szymanski added two goals and an assist. Fisher recorded two goals in the loss while Caitlin O’Brien and Devon Previte tallied a goal and an assist apiece. Florida Tech returns to action Wednesday, March 16 when it squares off with Indianapolis at 7 p.m. ET at Florida Tech Panther Stadium.     Box Score: http://www.floridatechsports.com/wlacrosse/boxscore/2015-16/5392/6-new-haven-vs-florida-tech-03-14-2016/ 2016 Schedule: http://www.floridatechsports.com/wlacrosse/schedule/ 2016 Roster: http://www.floridatechsports.com/wlacrosse/roster/   Daniel Supraner Assistant Director of Athletic Communications Florida Tech Athletics 150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne, Fla. 32901 Work: 321-674-7484 Fax: 321-984-8529