On a wild Tuesday night in Marin County, top-seeded Marin Academy survived a late scare from Redwood. They escaped into the North Coast Section Division I final, thanks to Reese Goodenough‘s four-goal performance—including the overtime winner.
Goodenough sparked a last-minute comeback, tying the game with just over a minute left. That set up her overtime clincher, sealing a 7-6 MA victory at home in San Rafael for fans from San Anselmo to Mill Valley and beyond.
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Marin Academy Advances to NCS D-I Final After OT Thriller
The win sends Marin Academy (16-3) to the NCS D-I final for the first time. They’ll meet No. 3 Marin Catholic (20-6) on Thursday at San Rafael High.
The Wildcats now face a Marin Catholic squad that edged No. 2 San Ramon Valley 11-10 in overtime to get here. In a Bay Area lacrosse scene packed with talent from Larkspur and Fairfax to Sausalito and Novato, MA’s run stands out this postseason.
Behind the bench, longtime MA coach Whitney Hanley returned after nine years away. Her comeback has lifted the team’s energy and confidence, especially for the seniors who’ve seen the program evolve since its NCS D-II title in 2022.
How the Game Unfolded: Regulation Highlights and OT Winner
The drama really kicked in during the third quarter. Elsa Anderson had to leave after a dangerous follow-through, picking up a yellow card that left MA a player down.
The Wildcats fought back in the fourth. With 1:01 left in regulation, Goodenough tied it up off an assist from Anderson, and the stands in San Rafael got tense.
MA keeper Grace Davidson came up big late, blocking Nina Baker’s shot with 10 seconds left after Redwood called timeout. Overtime arrived, and Goodenough buried an 8-meter shot to complete the comeback for Marin Academy.
- Reese Goodenough: four goals, including the overtime winner.
- Elsa Anderson: assisted the late game-tying goal.
- Grace Davidson: had a huge late block to keep MA alive.
- Stephanie Zola: two goals and an assist, a senior leader headed to Princeton.
- Sadie Goodenough: added the other MA goal.
- For Redwood, Riley Buck had two goals and an assist, with help from Claire Johnson, Grace Davis, Phoebe Miller, and Nina Baker.
Star Performers and Local Ties
In the heart of Marin County’s lacrosse scene, this night showed why Marin Academy matters from San Rafael to Mill Valley. Goodenough stepped up when it counted, while Stephanie Zola—a Princeton-bound senior—anchored MA with two goals and an assist.
The return of Hanley to the MA sideline brought a new energy that you could feel from the benches in Corte Madera to the bleachers in Novato.
- Reese Goodenough: four goals, including the OT winner, bailing MA out in the fourth quarter.
- Stephanie Zola: leadership and production with two goals and an assist.
- Grace Davidson: the late-game block to preserve the tie, a huge moment in a packed Marin County arena.
- Whitney Hanley: leadership and renewed confidence after years away from MA’s program.
What This Victory Means for Marin County Lacrosse
This win shows how strong the Bay Area’s lacrosse community is, connecting clubs from San Rafael to Novato, Tiburon, and Fairfax. High school lacrosse keeps growing and drawing in loyal local fans.
The upcoming final at San Rafael High features two Marin powerhouses in a matchup that has people buzzing all over the county. For MA, the win marks the program’s steady climb from its D-II title run to the D-I stage, with seniors like Zola bridging the present to a bright, college-bound future.
Looking Ahead: MA vs Marin Catholic in the Final
The clock’s ticking toward Thursday in San Rafael. Marin County fans can expect a clash that should showcase the region’s best, stretching from Bel Marin Keys to Downtown San Rafael.
This final promises tactical defense and clutch shooting. It’s the kind of local rivalry that pulls in families from Mill Valley, Ross, San Anselmo, and honestly, just about everywhere around here.
Keep an eye on Marin County sports pages for updates on this NCS D-I championship showdown. Maybe we’ll get another wild chapter in the ongoing MA–Marin Catholic saga.
Here is the source article for this story: Girls lacrosse: Marin Academy outlasts Redwood in overtime thriller
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