(bottom) Haley Bradshaw attacks the net
The stars seemed aligned for a second Farmington win in three games when Ally Midboe's goal gave the Tigers an 8-5 lead over Chaska/Chanhassen with 12 minutes to play in Thursday night's game at Tiger Stadium.
But the Stormhawks scored three goals to even the count at 8-8 with 5:08 remaining and then netted the game-winner with 1:28 to go to set up a controversial finish.
With the clock winding down in regulation, Haley Bradshaw made a strong move to the net and appeared to have scored the tying goal with 8.4 second to play.
The officials ruled, however, the Tiger junior had been fouled before the score and awarded her a penalty shot.
But then on the penalty shot, Bradshaw was called for moving before the whistle and her potential game-tying goal was disallowed.
Farmington coach Dan Pickens didn't see it that way.
"Lacrosse is new in Minnesota and the experience of referees so far is limited," he said. "I saw the play differently than it was called. But a bad call can't take away the fact that we played great and stuck together as a team for the entire game."
The Tigers led 4-2 at halftime thanks to a suffocating defense and some solid goalkeeping by Kaitlyn Lacroix.
Jessica Erchul scored twice in the opening period and Adrienne Jolicoeur and Haley Bradshaw also found the net for the Tigers.
The offense picked up for both teams after intermission as the visitors twice pulled to within a goal before going on their late scoring binge.
Bradshaw, Midboe, Erchul and Rachael Welzin each scored second half goals for Farmington. Lacroix had a big night in the nets, finishing with 18 saves.
"Chaska has been putting up 20-plus goals on teams this season," Pickens said, "so to hold nine is a victory for our defense. We really are improving every day."
