University of Louisville
4-4
Cincinnati
7-4
Cards Beat Cincinnati in Overtime Thriller
March 12, 2026 | Women's Lacrosse
CINCINNATI – A game-winning goal by Ella Berg capped off an 11-10 overtime victory for the University of Louisville lacrosse team over Cincinnati, Thursday afternoon at Nippert Stadium.
I am very proud of our team today. They battled through some adversity and a ton of adjustments. Our top players made key plays at important times. Louisville head coach Scott Teeter commented following today's victory.
The Cards (4-4, 1-3 ACC) had seven different players register a goal. UofL's offense was led by Grayce Kitchen and her career-high four point day. Kitchen scored two goals, for the freshman's first ever multi-goal collegiate game. She also tacked on two assists to match her season high. Maggie McMahon found the back of the net three times to lead all Cardinals in goals scored. Erin Nicholson's two goals tied her for second on the team with Kitchen for goals. Charlotte Jackson, Reese Whiteman, Mia Lusardi and Berg round out Louisville's goal scorers. Jackson and Whiteman also added an assist apiece to their point totals.
The Bearcats (7-4, 0-0 BIG 12) were led by a quartet on offense that combined for 14 points. Paige Selhorn's four goals and one assist led the UC offense. Lexi Wolfe scored three goals, Alyse Keels had one goal, while dishing out three assists and Payton Kozina had two goals.
Cincinnati opened the contest on a 3-0 run. Jackson's goal got the Cards on the board, but the Bearcats quickly responded to extend the lead back to three. UofL goals by Whiteman and Kitchen helped the Cardinals cut the Cincinnati lead to 4-3 heading into the second quarter.
The Bearcats outscored Louisville 3-1 in the second quarter. McMahon was the lone Cardinal to find the back of the net in the period. Cincinnati took a 7-4 lead into the break.
It was all UofL in the third quarter, as Nicholson put herself on the board with a goal and McMahon added her second of the day. The Cardinals defense blanked Cincinnati in the period. The Bearcats held a slight 7-6 edge heading into the final quarter of regulation.
In the fourth quarter McMahon scored her third goal of the game to tie the game at 7-7. The Bearcats ended their quarter-plus scoring drought to claim the lead back at 8-7. Lusardi scored her first career goal in dramatic fashion as it tied the game back at eight all. Wolfe secured back-to-back goals to give the Bearcats a 10-8 lead with 3:55 left in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals answered back, getting goals by both Kitchen and Nicholson to tie the game at 10 apiece with 2:14 left in regulation.
With just seconds left on the fourth quarter clock, Cincinnati successfully pushed forward on the attack into Louisville territory and rifled off a shot that was wide right of the net as the buzzer sounded, sending the game to overtime at 10-10.
The Cards essentially started the first minute of the sudden-victory period a player down, as Berg was issued a one-minute green card penalty five seconds into overtime play. However, Louisville's defense successfully killed the Bearcats penalty.
Berg returned to the field of play to join the Cards on their offensive possession. The sophomore maneuvered herself behind the UC goal and received the ball, set up her attack before charging to the right post and sinking the game-winner with a wraparound score in heavy traffic.
Haley Richards got career save number 100 in the first quarter of the contest, finishing the day with seven total. Olivia Scroggie led Louisville in draw controls with seven. Cate Kangas had two ground balls to tie Nicholson and Berg for the team lead.
UP NEXT: The Cards stay on the road, resuming ACC play against No. 15-ranked Duke inside Koskinen Stadium at noon on Saturday.
