Comeback in Colorado

BOULDER, Colo. - Sophomore Katherine Gjertsen's overtime winner completed a dramatic comeback for No. 18 Stanford women's lacrosse in a 13-12 victory at No. 22 Colorado on Friday afternoon.

Stanford (10-4, 5-3 Pac-12) trailed by four with under 10 minutes to play, but scored five straight to take the lead. Colorado (7-6, 6-2) tied it in the final minute, but Gjertsen was the hero with five seconds left in the extra session. 

"We just came together in the huddle and we talked about who wanted it more," Gjertsen said. "We looked at each other and we made the decision to change the pace of the game, play as a unit and finish the game as we wanted it to. We determined that today was going to be our day."

All three of Gjertsen's goals were in the final 5:55 of regulation or overtime. Her sixth hat trick of the season was the result of the game-tying tally with 5:55 to play, the go-ahead goal with 3:32 to go and the game-winner.

Sophomore Ali Baiocco scored four times and finished with six points, while senior Julia Massaro won six draw controls and sophomore goalkeeper Trudie Grattan made eight saves. 

How It Happened
It was another back-and-forth affair between the Pac-12 rivals. Stanford, which won the inaugural Pac-12 Tournament in Boulder last season, never trailed in the first half. The Cardinal jumped out to a 2-0 lead behind goals from senior Genesis Lucero and junior Mikaela Watson. 

The Buffaloes answered with two, but freshman Caitlin Chicoski and Daniella McMahon put Stanford up 4-2 near the midway point of the half. 

Once again, the Buffaloes answered with two before Baiocco scored twice and Stanford led by two, again. 

But once again, the Buffaloes answered with a pair to tie the game, 6-6, at the break. 

Colorado took its first lead of the day, 7-6, with the first tally of the second half.

Sophomore Ali Baiocco tied the game, 7-7, with her third goal of the contest with 21:20 remaining, but the Buffaloes scored the next four and led 11-7 with under 10 minutes to play.

Lucero scored with 8:58 left to start the rally. Just 36 seconds later, Baiocco hit the back of the net to close within 11-9. Then sophomore Emma Knaus made it a one-goal game with 7:55 to play. 

After Gjertsen tied the game and gave Stanford the lead, Colorado tied it with 52 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

By the Numbers
Stanford outshot its hosts, 30-24, and was a perfect 17-for-17 on clears. The Cardinal won 16 of 27 draw controls and was 6-of-9 on free positions. 

Senior Areta Buness won five draw controls and Lucero won three. Massaro also led the Cardinal with four ground balls and had a caused turnover. 

Next Up
Stanford travels to Oregon on Sunday for a 1 p.m. matchup with the Ducks. The Cardinal returns home for Senior Day on Friday against Cal – that matchup will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks at 5 p.m.