ANDERSON, SC - The Bears are advancing to the SAC semi-finals for the first time since 2019 thanks to a thrilling 14-13 overtime win over Anderson on Saturday afternoon. Anneleise Meyer scored a goal with 1:41 left in the game to send it into overtime, and Ellie Campbell won it with a goal in overtime off an assist from Caseell Richardson. 

Cassell Richardson was the offensive mvp of the game, totalling eight points thanks to three goals and an LR career high five assists. On defense, goalie Sally Friesen had the game of her life, notching 20 saves, just one save shy of the school record. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: (5) Lenoir-Rhyne 14, (4) Anderson 13 (OT)
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (11-7, 8-3 SAC), Anderson (10-8, 8-3 SAC)
Location: Anderson, S.C. | Spero Field

STORY OF THE GAME:

• Lenoir-Rhyne jumped out to a quick 4-1 lead thanks to goals from Alexa Burghardt, Cassell Richardson, Ellie Campbell, and Chloe Christensen. 
• Two more goals late in the second quarter from Richardson and Christensen put the Bears up 7-3 midway through the second quarter.
• Anderson went on a run at the ned of the second and early in the third, scoring six unanswered goals to go up 9-7.
• Christensen stopped the run with her third goal of the game, and Kirra Olson tied it up under a minute later. 
• The fourth quarter saw both teams lead, as LR held an early 12-10 advantage before three consecutive Trojan goals put the home side ahead. 
• Anneleise Meyer scored a free position goal with 1:41 left in the fourth to tie things up, and Sally Friesen made a clutch free position save in the final minute to send the game into overtime.
• Friesen made yet another huge save early in overtime before Campbell cut through the middle buried a shot off a pass from Richardson to keep LR's season alive.

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Cassell Richardson led with eight points, while Chloe Christensen and Ellie Campbell each tallied three goals.
• Sally Friesen's 20 saves are the second most in school history and the most since Teanna Sieben had 21 against Newberry in April of 2023.
• Anderson out shot the Bears 39-25 and led 33-19 in shots-on-goal.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Lenoir-Rhyne is now 2-2 all-time against Anderson, and this was their first meeting in the SAC Tournament.
• Both Bear wins have been by one goal.
• This was LR's first SAC Tournament victory since a 16-8 win against Lincoln Memorial on April 26, 2019.

NEXT UP: Lenoir-Rhyne will now travel to #1 seeded Wingate on Wednesday to take on the Bulldogs for a chance to advance to the SAC Championship. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m.