University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
2-2, 0-0
Duke
2-2, 0-0
Duke Slips Past Richmond in OT Decision Saturday
02/21/2026 | Women's Lacrosse
Richmond, Va. — The University of Richmond women's lacrosse team controlled the game for more than three quarters, but could not close it out, as No. 23 Duke rallied late for a 15–14 overtime victory Saturday.
The Spiders struck first and never trailed until the 8:42 mark of the fourth quarter, building multiple leads behind balanced scoring and strong presence at the draw circle. Richmond opened the scoring at 13:38 of the first quarter when Alexis Morton finished a feed from Bridget Lonsinger, part of a five-goal opening frame that gave the Spiders a 5–3 edge after one.
After Duke briefly tied the game twice early, Richmond responded each time. Juliana Stanley's goal at 11:19 put the Spiders back in front for good in the first half, and Stella Axe's tally midway through the quarter restored a one-goal cushion. Morton added her second goal in the final minute of the period to push the lead to 5–3.
Richmond extended its advantage in the second quarter, outscoring Duke 4–3 to take a 9–6 lead into halftime. Meghan Rode and Morton scored during a key 2–0 run that stretched the margin to four goals, the largest of the afternoon. The Spiders' defense also held Duke to just one even-strength goal in the quarter, but the Blue Devils capitalized on two woman-up opportunities and made it a 9-7 game heading into halftime.
Duke began to chip away in the third, but Richmond answered every push. After the Blue Devils closed within one at 8–7 and again at 9–8, the Spiders responded with goals from Emma Kroneberger and Rileigh Meyer to maintain control. Richmond led 11–9 heading into the fourth and had not trailed at any point.
The momentum shifted in the final period. Duke scored back-to-back goals in the opening minutes to tie the game at 11–11, but Keating Hopkins finished a Morton assist at 9:46 to give Richmond its final lead, 12–11. The Blue Devils answered quickly, tying the game at 9:12 before Duke's Eva Pronti scored at 8:42 and 6:47 to give the Blue Devils their largest lead of the game.
Trailing by two late, Richmond continued to fight. Morton scored with 1:57 remaining to cut the deficit to one, and after a defensive stand, the Spiders forced overtime when Lonsinger buried the equalizer with just six seconds left off a Rode assist.
In overtime, Duke controlled the opening draw and ended the game when it netted the game winner 4:13.
Morton led Richmond with four goals and two assists, and is now just two goals away from the 100 career goal milestone. Lonsinger added three goals and two assists, Stanley scored twice, and Rode contributed a goal and five draw controls.
Up next, the Spiders head to Lynchburg to visit Liberty. Opening draw is set for noon on Saturday, Feb. 28.
