CHICAGO -- The Bates women's lacrosse team rallied from three goals down in the third quarter to force overtime but fell 8-7 to No. 25 nationally ranked University of Chicago Saturday afternoon.

Lulu Hardy's golden goal four minutes into overtime gave the Maroons (1-0) the win over the Bobcats (0-1) in the season opener for both teams. 

The two teams exchanged four goals during a two-minute span early in the first quarter. Bates struck first 2:33 into the contest when sophomore Emma Austin (Norwich, Vt.) found senior Kate Loughlin (York, Maine) for the first goal of the season. UChicago responded a minute later with Lily DePalma scoring off an assist by Jane Chen. But only 10 seconds later, the Bobcats won the draw and sped down the field to recapture the advantage at 2-1 when junior Chloe Robinson (North Salem, N.Y.) found junior Sophie Scola (San Mateo, Calif.) in transition for the tally. 

UChicago's Ali Sheehy provided the equalizer goal in front five minutes in, then provided the go-ahead score three minutes later. In the final minute of the quarter, Bates took advantage of a Maroon yellow card and tied the game once more on the power play when first-year Trish Balser (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) found the back of the net.

The second quarter was a defensive battle with only one goal being scored. Hardy put the Maroons back in front at 4-3 with an unassisted strike to the top shelf with seven minutes left in the half.

Both defenses excelled throughout the contest. Bates clogged up the inside of the attacking area with bodies and did not allow access to Maroon cutters. On the other side of the field, UChicago's aggressive defenders around the circle kept the visitors from getting clear looks at goal. Both squads utilized high-pressure rides on opposing clear attempts as well.

The cold conditions made catches tougher on both sides. Long passes by Bates frequently sailed long and out of bounds, while UChicago struggled to hang onto the ball once they penetrated the attacking area. All told, the Bobcats committed 30 turnovers while the Maroons coughed up 24 turnovers in the final stats.

The opening minute of the third quarter was a boon for the home team. Only 23 seconds in, Evelina Swigart scored off another assist by Chen. Then 39 seconds later, Hardy scooped up a loose ball in front of the goalie and deposited it into the back of the net to make it 6-3.

Bates would not fold, however. The Maroons were limited to one goal over the last 29 minutes of regulation, and the Bobcats mounted their comeback. The visitors pulled within one by the end of the third quarter on Loughlin's third goal of the game with an assist to senior Jordyn Tveter (Topsfield, Mass.). After Sheehy scored on a free-position shot in the fourth quarter, Bates would tally two more to knot the game at 7-7 on first-year Caroline Taggert's (Concord, Mass.) first career goal. The Bobcats had one last chance to end it in regulation, but the final shot attempt came just after the buzzer.

In overtime, UChicago's Lally Johnson fed an open Hardy in the middle and the Maroon sophomore stuffed it home to provide the walk-off winner with 2:06 left in the overtime period.

Hardy and Sheehy finished with three goals each to pace the Maroon offense. Johnson and Chen collected two assists apiece. Adriana Shutler and Hailey Klinger produced two caused turnovers each.

Emily Feigen got the start in goal for the Maroons and played the first 21 minutes of game time, allowing three goals with one save. Rachel Keefe entered in relief for the final 43 minutes. She made six saves and allowed four goals to pick up the victory.

Bates led the shots (25-22) and ground balls (29-18) categories. The Bobcats were successful on 21 of 29 clears (72 percent) while the Maroons cleared 19 of 25 (76 percent).

Junior Cammie Lavoie (Epping, N.H.) made eight saves between the pipes for Bates and recorded a game-high five ground balls. Robinson recorded a game-high six draw controls. Loughlin's three goals paced Bates.

The Bobcats are back in action this Wednesday for their home opener against the University of Southern Maine at 6pm.