Tiffin University (4-4) led for most of the game against 14th-ranked Colorado Mesa, but two goals in the final 5 minutes gave the Mavericks the narrow 14-12 victory.
The game was a tight back and forth contest from the outset. After falling behind 3-2 at the 20:40 mark of the first half, the Dragons went on their best run of the night, outscoring the Mavericks 4-0 over the next 6 minutes to take a 6-3 lead. TU got goals from Elle Hamilton, Maddy Batley, Leah Davis, and Ashley Osbeck to highlight the run.
Colorado Mesa did not stumble long however, rebounding to go on a 4-2 run of their own to close out the half and pull to within one 8-7 at halftime.
Osbeck's second goal of the game at the 24:42 mark of the second half gave TU a 10-9 lead, but the Mavericks turned up the pressure offensively. A 3-0 burst gave CMU a 12-10 lead with 17:51 to play.
Tiffin rallied on goals from Hamilton and Daniela Carey to knot the score 12-12 with 12:42 left. Both teams traded shots over the next 8 minutes, with Kat Schneeberger and Lula Mitchell making big saves as the game remained tied. The Mavericks finally broke through with a goal with 4:45 left to take a 13-12 lead and then added a huge insurance goal with 37 seconds remaining to put the game away.
Tiffin stayed in the game with a strong draw control edge 17-11 and also outshot CMU 34-29. The Mavericks held a 19-15 edge in ground balls, including 12-8 in the second half.
Schneeberger took the tough loss in goal, making 11 saves in 60 minutes.
Hamilton led the Dragons with 4 goals and an assist along with 7 draws and 4 ground balls. Amie Morrison had 3 goals and an assist with 2 caused turnovers and 3 ground balls. Osbeck had 2 goals and 2 assists, Maddy Batley had a goal and assist, and Carey and Leah Davis also had goals.
Tiffin will now take on 5th-ranked Lindenwood at 1 pm on March 24.