Game one vs. NCAA DII Westminster

Phoenix, ARIZ. -- The Penguins flocked south for spring break to embark on a two-game stay against Westminster (NCAA DII) and Grand Canyon University (WCLA). Dominican started off hot as usual, netting two early goals from Morgan Newkirk and America Vizcaino, goals that preceded 9-1 Westminster run over the course of the next 20 minutes of play, putting the Penguins behind for the first time in program history with the score reading 9-3.
 
Dominican found its spark despite the deficit as Morgan Dougherty created a turnover with less than a minute remaining in the first half. Dougherty's steal helped flip field, eventually leaving Siena Fairbanks one-on-one with the Griffins goalie before netting a goal that helped kickstart the comeback before finishing day with three goals and an assist. The Penguins struck again moments later on a similar turnover, this time capped off by the team's leading goal scorer, Morgan Newkirk, bringing the score to 9-5 at half time. 

"You could feel the energy shift in that final minute after a first half where nothing seemed to go as planned; a couple of effort plays and we were right back in it," head coach Joseph Manna said. 
 
The energy rolled into the third quarter with Siena Fairbanks and Newkirk combining for a pair of goals in the first minute of the half, slashing the Dominican deficit to just two. The defense then took its turn under the spotlight with Jordyn Dangerfield and Jessie Connors anchoring the Dominican back line, limiting chances for the Griffins in the latter half of the contest.

"Playing in a game like the Westminster one is a perfect reminder of why we play lacrosse. That feeling of adrenaline is exactly what it is like playing lacrosse and especially in today's game," Dangerfield said.
 
The foes continued the pattern of trading punches with the score reading 11-9 in favor of Westminster heading into the final frame. Brooke Vafi netted a pair goals to keep pace with Westminster before Olivia Johnson split a double inside the 8-meter mark, then putting the ball in the back of the net to tie the game at 11 apiece with eight minutes left, the first time the score was tied since late in the first quarter. The Griffins, who had been struggling offensively the entire fourth quarter, were finally able to find success with 6:15 left in the game, a celebration that was short lived as Macie Wood showed incredible effort in stripping the ball away from a Griffin player from midfield, then taking to the net to tie the game once more. 
 
The squads traded opportunities in the waning phases of regulation but overtime would be needed to settle the score. The first overtime saw both sides go a player down, but neither opportunity resulted in the final tally. Dominican would go down once more in the second overtime, but it was Lusi Tapasa who collected a pair of  two-man-down turnovers that flipped the field and to help Dominican regain possession, plays that allowed Dominican to come back at full strength with 30 seconds remaining. With time winding down, Brooke Vafi patiently drew a defender and moved it to Johnson who was able to draw two more Griffins before finding an open Taylor Pieri who called game in dramatic fashion on her first shot of the afternoon, giving Dominican a dramatic 13-12 victory.

"We all fought hard for the win today. Lacrosse is a team sport and we showed that in today's game," Pieri said.

Game two vs. Grand Canyon University

The Penguins capped off their Arizona trip in style, earning a convincing 15-6 win over conference foe Grand Canyon University. Scoring was led by Vafi who ended with four goals and assist with Johnson tallying a trio of goals and an assist while Newkirk adedd two goals and two assists, with Johnson also leading the game in controlled draws with six.

"When you're winning possessions at the draw it makes everything easier. It makes leading easier, it makes trailing easier, it gets your bench excited. We're lucky to have two incredible players at the draw and a bunch of grit on the circle," coach Manna said.
 
Grit was provided by Dougherty who seemed to be all over the field yet again as she also tallied a goal and an assist in addition to setting up numerous plays in transition. The Penguins jumped out to an early 4-1 run and didn't look back from there as goalkeepers Natalie Oyler and Kat Chavez also did their part, combining for 12 saves on 18 shots. Oyler would also see her first career assist on a 70-yard clear to fellow captain, Johnson, that  put the Penguins up 6-1 before taking an 11-1 lead into half time.
 
Grand Canyon, knowing the importance and playoff implications of this match, put its foot on the pedal in the early stages of the second half, seeing a 3-goal run to match three second-half Dominican goals. Dominican would add another late goal off the stick of Siena Fairbanks, bringing the final score to 15-6. The final goal was just one part of a breakout road trip for Fairbanks who earned seven points and six ground balls while in Arizona.
 
"They played as a solid unit against GCU. It was great to see them stay focused the entire trip and end it the way we wanted to. It feels good to get two road wins, we're ready to keep it rolling," assistant coach Victoria Tucci said. 

Dominican now looks ahead to this weekend as it takes its talent south to Santa Clara on Sunday for its first of three remaining conference games.