WINCHESTER, Va.--The Hood College women's lacrosse team (0-9) scored five goals in the final 5:25 of regulation but suffered a heartbreaking defeat in sudden death overtime, 17-16, Wednesday at Shenandoah University (1-7).

Hood matched its season high with six goals in the first half alone but trailed 9-6 at intermission. In the second half, the Hornets ripped off four goals in less than four minutes to go up 15-10 with 5:44 left in regulation.

The Blazers put forth its gutsiest effort of the season, winning the next five draws and reeling off five straight goals, the last of which by freshman Kelsey Blackwell with 56 seconds remaining to knot the score at 15-15. Brandy Noel controlled the ensuing draw and had a chance to put the Blazers on top for the first time all afternoon but her shot attempt in the final minute was rejected by Virginia Thomas, sending the game into overtime.

Neither the Blazers nor the Hornets were able to net the go-ahead goal in the first overtime session. In the second overtime period, Lauren Perzan converted a free position shot at the 2:47 mark to give Hood its first lead of the game, but Shenandoah's Sara Mucciaro answered at the other end with an unassisted tally with 1:27 left in the period, forcing a three-minute sudden death overtime.

Hood had the first opportunity to net the game-winner but Jen Graham's shot was denied by Thomas. Then with just under two minutes remaining, Lauren Lieb came up with a big save on Laurel Smith's attempt. But in the end, it was Mucciaro who game up with the clutch score, her eighth of the day, with 44 seconds remaining to lift the Hornets to the victory.

Sarah Balukoff paced the Blazers with six goals while Perzan finished with four, Noel netted three, Blackwell had a pair of goals and an assist and Graham chipped in with one goal. Lieb picked up 10 saves between the pipes.

Hood returns to action Friday at Wesley College.