Clinkscales' Golden Goal Lifts Akron Lacrosse to MAC Tournament Title

Saturday, May 3

Moon Township, Pa.

1:00 PM

University of Akron

11-7, 4-2

Robert Morris

8-11, 4-2

AKRON

Robert Morris

Clinkscales' Golden Goal Lifts Akron Lacrosse to MAC Tournament Title

May 03 | Women's Lacrosse

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BOXSCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – A golden goal from senior Jaelyn Clinkscales (Rochester, N.Y.) with 14 seconds remaining in overtime propelled the Akron lacrosse team to its first ever Mid-American Conference Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth with a come-from-behind 11-10 victory over Robert Morris in the league's title match on Saturday (May 3).

Picked to finish last in the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Zips overcame a five-goal second-half deficit to force and overtime and set the stage for Clinkscales' game-winning goal in overtime.

Akron will host an NCAA Tournament Selection Show Watch Party on Sunday (May 4) in the Tommy Evans Lounge at James A. Rhodes. The selection show airing on ESPNU will begin at 9 p.m. with doors opening at 8:30 p.m. The general public, friends and family are welcome to attend. Free parking will be available in Lots 2, 8 and 13 surrounding James A. Rhodes Arena.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Akron garnered a game-high four goals from Clinkscales, including the game-winner to send the Zips to their first ever NCAA Tournament.
• Adding two goals apiece was redshirt senior Noelle Boyd (Murrysville, Pa.) and sophomore Sienna Hinchcliffe (Rochester, N.Y.), while juniors Katie Baumer (Rochester, N.Y.) and Kellen Fletcher (Valencia, Pa.) and senior Kylie Harris (Lake Norman, N.C.) each collected a goal.
• Senior goalkeeper Hannah Sanders (Massillon, Ohio) provided a key defensive effort for Akron with a game-high nine saves.
• Baumer was tabbed as the Tournament Most Valuable Player, while joining her on the All-Tournament team for the Zips was Boyd, Clinkscales, Hinchcliffe and Sanders.
• More details on today's match to follow later.
• Fletcher dished out a game-high two assists for the Zips. Adding one assist each was Harris and Hinchcliffe.
• Boyd and Sanders each posted a team-high three ground balls, while Hinchcliffe corralled a game-best six draw controls.
• Boyd and Hinchcliffe led Akron with two caused turnovers apiece.
• Recording seven, six, five and five shots, respectively, was Boyd, Baumer, Clinkscales and Hinchcliffe.

UP NEXT:
Akron advances to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.

AKRON GOALS: Katie Baumer (1st-11:11) (unassisted), Sienna Hinchcliffe (1st-6:14) (Fletcher), Kylie Harris (2nd-9:49) (unassisted), Jaelyn Clinkscales (2nd-6:27) (Harris), Kellen Fletcher (3rd-7:34) (free position shot), Noelle Boyd (3rd-6:14) (unassisted), Jaelyn Clinkscales (3rd-1:23) (free position shot), Sienna Hinchcliffe (3rd-0:23) (unassisted), Jaelyn Clinkscales (4th-6:59) (Hinchcliffe), Noelle Boyd (4th-0:21) (unassisted), Jaelyn Clinkscales (OT-0:14) (Fletcher)