Byrne’s Late Winner Lifts Reinhardt Past Life 10-9 in Back-and-Forth Battle

Marietta, GA - A late free-position finish from Lainey Byrne capped a tense afternoon at Lupo Family Field, as Reinhardt Women's Lacrosse edged Life University 10-9 on Saturday behind a balanced offensive effort and timely special-teams production.

Tied 9-9 after Life clawed back from a three-goal deficit in the fourth quarter, Reinhardt earned a critical opportunity with just over a minute remaining. Byrne, who had already stretched the lead to 9-6 late in the third, stepped up again with 1:04 to play, burying the game-winning goal and sealing a road victory for the Eagles. The decisive strike halted a 3-0 Life run that had erased Reinhardt's advantage and threatened to flip the result in front of a home crowd of 200.

Reinhardt's attack spread the scoring throughout the lineup, with Byrne and Hayley Rakestraw each scoring twice to pace the Eagles. Playmaker Carly Harris added a goal and two assists, factoring into three of Reinhardt's 10 tallies. The visitors finished with 10 goals on 23 shots on goal, converting nearly half of their total shots while pairing that efficiency with five assists and effective ball movement in settled sets.

Life's offense leaned on standout performances from its top line, led by Roxie Beasley. Beasley totaled three goals and two assists on 10 shots, repeatedly providing answers when Reinhardt threatened to pull away. Hannah Leon added two goals and an assist, while Tori Wolf chipped in two goals, including a second-quarter free-position strike and the tying goal at 2:53 of the fourth that knotted the game at 9-9. Despite that surge, Life was ultimately undone by 21 turnovers, which helped Reinhardt manage possession in key stretches.

The game featured momentum swings from the opening quarter. After Life's Samantha O'Hanlon opened the scoring on an assist from Beasley, Reinhardt responded with goals from Taylor Lamont and Harris to briefly take control. The second quarter showcased special teams on both sides: Wolf's free-position goal gave Life a 3-2 edge, but Reinhardt answered with a short-handed strike from Marissa Davis and a man-up conversion from Rakestraw. Beasley's own free-position tally drew Life level again at 4-4 before Emma Perritte pushed Reinhardt to a 5-4 halftime lead.

Reinhardt appeared to create separation in the third quarter, outscoring Life 4-2 to build a 9-6 cushion. Rakestraw's early goal, followed by tallies from Hanna Peace, Davis and Byrne, fueled the Eagles' best offensive frame of the day. Life countered behind Leon's two goals and steady setup play from Beasley, but the Eagles' 29-23 edge in total shots and their ability to capitalize on man-up and free-position chances proved critical as the game wore on.

Defensively, Reinhardt limited Life to 14 shots on goal and recorded five saves, relying on pressure that contributed to Life's clearing struggles and turnovers. The Eagles finished with slight advantages in draw controls (9-8) and took care of the ball more consistently, committing 13 turnovers to Life's 21. Those possession margins, combined with late-game composure in the offensive end, set the stage for Byrne's deciding goal and allowed Reinhardt to leave Lupo Family Field with a one-goal victory in a matchup defined by lead changes, special-teams execution, and a dramatic final minute.

Next up for the Eagles is a long-awaited home match after playing all the previous games on the road to start the season.  The Eagles will welcome in the Stormy Petrals of Oglethorpe University (NCAA DIII) on Saturday, March 14th at 4 pm. After this, Reinhardt will start its conference play on Wednesday, March 18th, versus Tennessee Wesleyan.

photo courtesy of Barb Dawdy Photography