CAMDEN, N.J. (March 2, 2022) – Senior midfielder Claire Gailliout scored her fifth goal of the game with 2:06 remaining in overtime to lead the Rutgers University-Camden women's lacrosse team over Eastern University, 13-12, in the season opener for the Scarlet Raptors here Wednesday.
 
It was the first overtime game in the program's 13-year history.
 
The win was the first for the Raptors since April 4, 2019, snapping a 15-game losing streak that included a 0-7 mark over the last two pandemic-shortened seasons. The win in 2019 was a 15-5 home victory over Rosemont College.
 
Eastern falls to 0-2 on the young season.
 
Claire Gailliout's game-winning goal was the fifth of her career, tying Annalise Strojan (2010-13) for second on the program's career record chart. The record for game-winning goals is six, by Krystal Valianti (2013-16).
 
It was a big day for the Scarlet Raptors, who erased a 7-3 first-half deficit and fell behind by two goals, 12-10, with 9:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Scarlet Raptors held a 10-9 lead heading to the fourth quarter before Eastern scored three times, including a tying and go-ahead goal by junior midfielder Hailey Ferry.
 
With 9:08 remaining in regulation, freshman attack Chloe Gailliout scored her first career goal, assisted by senior attack Rachel Haigh, to cut the Raptors' deficit to 12-11. With 5:56 remaining, senior midfielder Jazmin Torres tied the game at 12-12, setting up the overtime and Claire Gailliout's winning goal.
 
Rutgers-Camden had leads of 1-0 and 2-1 on goals by Claire Gailliout, and then regained a 3-2 edge on a tally by sophomore attack Linsey Becker with 7:31 left in the first quarter. Becker was assisted by sophomore midfielder Isabella Tamburrino. Eastern scored the last two goals of the first quarter and the first three in the second quarter as the Eagles built a 7-3 lead with 8:19 left in the first half.
 
The Scarlet Raptors rallied to make it a 7-5 game at halftime on a goal by Tamburrino, assisted by Claire Gailliout, and the third goal of the game by Claire Gailliout, coming with 0:49 left in the half.
 
Freshman midfielder Ciara Butler scored two of the first three goals in the third quarter, cutting the Scarlet Raptors' deficit to 8-7 before a goal by Tamburrino tied the game at 8-8. The teams battled through 9-9 and 10-10 ties before the final hectic minutes.
 
Claire Gailliout finished the game with five goals and three assists for eight points, while Tamburrino had three goals and one assist for four points. Butler added the first two goals of her collegiate career, while senior attack Claire McKernan led the team with three caused turnovers and added two ground balls.
 
Sophomore goalie G Bellon played a stellar game, making 14 saves and leading the team with three ground balls.
 
Junior attack Caitlyn Quizon led the Eagles with three goals.
 
Rutgers-Camden returns to action Monday with a 4 p.m. home game against Bryn Mawr College.