Memphis - Rhodes College women's lacrosse put up a nail-biting 16-15 overtime victory against Johnson & Wales (RI) as the sun set Tuesday evening. 

The Lynx opened the game with the first goal just two minutes after the first whistle when freshman Payton Bennett netted her second goal of the year. The two teams went back and forth scoring until the Lynx led 8-3 with 11:50 to go in the first half. The Wildcats answered with a 5-1 run to end the first half. 

The Lynx went up 11-9, but JWU scored three straight goals to take a brief 12-11 advantage. Rhodes then went on a 4-1 run with three goals coming from freshman Aidan Pike to give the Lynx a 15-13 lead. JWU managed to force overtime by scoring two goals in under a minute. Madison Rubino won the draw for the Lynx who called an immediate timeout. After Rhodes hit the pipe on their first shot attempt, Bennett passed the ball down to Pike who buried the game-winner after 1:29 elapsed in overtime. 

The win is the first of the season for the Lynx who are now 1-2. JWU is now 1-1.  

Pike tallied her a career-high seven goals while senior Annika Hedlund recorded four goals and two assists. Bennett finished the game with a hat trick and an assist while Baylee Barker netted two goals and Aubrey Gray two assists. Pike also tallied four caused turnovers and defender Hannah Swinerton grabbed four ground balls. In goal, Lauren Lazure picked up the win, recording nine saves in 61 and a half minutes. Barker and Rubino both led the game with seven draw controls.

JWU's Cassidy O'Hara saved nine shots while the Wildcat offense was led by Dani Lydecker with five goals and two assists. 

The Lynx posted a 42-31 shot advantage and won 21 of 33 draw controls. 

Rhodes will return to Mason Field on Saturday, March 2 to open conference play. The Lynx will host Birmingham-Southern at 1 p.m.