VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY: Ocean City gets OT win over Middle in de facto CAL title game

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

OCEAN CITY — There is no longer an overall champion in Cape-Atlantic League girls lacrosse.

The league realigned before the start of the current season, changing from one league to two conferences within the league.

There technically is no official CAL title game between the winners of the two conferences, but Ocean City and Middle Township — the winners of the American and National conferences, respectively — treated Tuesday’s game at Carey Stadium as such.

As it should be when two excellent teams meet, the contest was decided after a dramatic finish.

Ocean City scored twice in the last 2 minutes, 18 seconds, of regulation to force a tie, then won it, 12-11, on Emily DiMarino’s tally on the first possession of overtime.

Ocean City (17-2) had trailed, 11-9, after Middle’s Brianna Robinson and Kira Sides scored consecutive goals to break a 9-9 tie. But Anna Devlin tallied to bring the Raiders within a goal, before DiMarino sent the game to overtime by scoring off a free eight-meter shot with 13 seconds left.

Ocean City jumped out to a 4-0 lead to start the game, only to see Middle (14-2) come right back and score four straight of its own to level the score. Ocean City eventually took a 7-6 lead at the half.

Middle took its first lead at 8-7 and then later had its late two-goal lead before Ocean City rallied.

Danielle Donoghue scored four goals to lead Ocean City. Devlin, DiMarino and Alexis Smallwood each added two and Ali Hendricks chipped in one. Abbey Fenton made seven saves in goal for the Raiders.

Sides scored four goals, Aubrey Hunter added three and Robinson and Maddie Barber each chipped in two for Middle. Amelia Slick made five stops in goal.