ST. CHARLES • Through a see-saw of emotions in the Missouri Scholastic Lacrosse state championship, John Burroughs scored in the final seconds to beat Ursuline 15-14 on Saturday at Lindenwood University.
As the final seconds of the second half ticked away, Burroughs sophomore Rahney Longley reached the back of the Bears' net to score the game-winner with seven seconds left.
"Ruth Barry had the ball and they all swarmed on her and left me open right in front of the goal," Longley said. "I just turned around and it went in right over her head. I had no idea how much time was left."
It is the second state title in three years for the Burroughs' program. For Ursuline, it marked the second straight season it finished as the runner-up.
"Our team knows and believes in our last 10 minutes," John Burroughs coach Megan O'Malley said. "We have had to fight back and battle back in every playoff game we've been and I think that prepared us for today."
Burroughs finishes the season 13-4 while Ursuline ends at 13-2.
"I think we have an amazing team," Ursuline coach Judy Anderson said. "They have a lot of heart and it showed in that comeback."
The Bears, who defeated the Bombers 14-13 in April, showed plenty of fortitude and staged a magnificent comeback.
Burroughs exploded for three goals in less than three minutes to start the game and had leads of 5-0 and 9-3.
The Bombers were dominant early. Junior Charlotte Martin, sophomore Ruth Barry, and freshman sensation Stephanie Kelly wreaked havoc on the Bears' defense.
John Burroughs led 10-6 at halftime but the patient Ursuline attack cut the lead to 12-10 when Nicole May, who finished with five goals, scored off a pretty pass from Maria Schweiss at the 13 minute and 31 second mark.
Goals from Anna Maggiorotto and Shirley Boland kept the Bears within striking distance with 3:22 to play. Schweiss then made another nice pass, this one to Kara Ringkamp, who scored with 1:19 to play, to knot the score at 14.
But that drama was just a prelude to Longley's winning shot.
"She is so consistent and you might not notice her sometimes but that is almost good thing," O'Malley said. "She doesn't make mistakes and is very composed and you saw that on the last shot."
In the third place game, Eureka defeated St. Joe's 8-7. Wildcat standout Melissa Menchella netted five goals.
