Gulf Coast Sharks vs. Riverview Rams

Recap

The Riverview Rams (10-6) Varsity Girls hosted the visiting Gulf Coast Sharks (8-4) from Naples, FL, in their last regular season game at the Ram Bowl on Monday night. The Rams jumped out to a 2-0 lead within the first 5 1/2 minutes of the game, but the Sharks came storming back with 4 unanswered goals within the next 2 minutes to take the lead, 4-2. The Rams responded to that barrage with 3 unanswered goals of their own to retake the lead, 5-4. But by the time the first half ended, the teams were tied, 8-8. At the start of the second half, the Sharks struck first with a goal by Kali Cleary (6 goals) to take the lead, but once again, the Rams answered with 4 straight goals, and a 12-9 lead. Holding a 3 goal lead with under 5 minutes remaining in regulation, it appeared the Rams had the Sharks against the wall, but Gulf Coast once again responded with 3 straight goals, one by Payton Davidson (3 goals, 1 assist) and 2 by Cleary. With the game tied at 12-12 when the final horn sounded for regulation, the game moved to a sudden-death overtime. In overtime, sophomore Susan Lowther (6 goals, 1 assist) drove to the goal and was fouled inside the critical scoring arc, setting up a free shot from the top hash with 1:49 remaining in the overtime. Like she has done all season, Lowther found the open space above Shark’s goalie Grace Price for the game winner.

The Rams improved their draw control, winning 17 of the 26 draws. Mia Rey had 7 critical saves.

RAMS RECORD WATCH: Sophomore Susan Lowther continues set scoring records for Riverview lacrosse, as her 6 goals in this game put her in a tie with Ram alumni, Ronnie McCurdy (2018) by tying her record for most “Career Goals,” with 92. Last week, Susan broke McCurdy’s “Single Season Goal Record” of 49 goals. Lowther now has 58 goals on the season. Lowther also holds the “Single Season Assist” record with 38 assists, previously held by McCurdy (31) in 2017.

Lowther’s go-ahead goal made Riverview’s “Highlight-of-the-Week.”