NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – Junior Cori Geiger (Agawam, Mass./Agawam) scored a sudden victory goal in the third overtime as No. 8 Bentley outlasted No. 11 Merrimack 12-11 for the Falcons' third straight win on Tuesday night in Northeast-10 women's lacrosse play.

The score was tied at 11 after the six minute, two half overtime period, meaning the next goal would be the winner. Just 62 seconds into sudden death, Geiger ended it with her third goal of the night with Megan Wiggins (Acton, Mass./Acton-Boxborough) on the assist.

Bentley looked likely to claim the victory in regulation, as they led 10-8 with 2:05 remaining after late goals from junior Taylor Bastien (North Kingstown, R.I./North Kingstown) and freshman Amy Ernst (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central).

But the Warriors staged a furious rally to force overtime with two goals in the final 62 seconds. Senior Colleen Strachan made it 10-9 with 1:02 to play, and senior Alicia Tinsley tied with just 15 seconds remaining on the clock.

Bentley though shook that off and went up 11-10 in the first half of overtime on a goal by Wiggins. The second half of overtime was still to be played though, and Merrimack tied it up again on a goal by junior Liz Greeley with 1:36 left in the extra session.

Neither team was able to score in the remaining time so the game went to sudden victory.

It was a close game throughout regulation, with neither team leading by more than two at any point. Bentley trailed 6-4 at halftime, but went up 8-6 with a 4-0 run with four different goal scorers. Merrimack cut the lead to one on a goal by Strachan at the 11:45 mark, and more than seven minutes later they finally tied it at eight when ? Olivia Huie scored.

The win moves Bentley's record to 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the NE-10. Merrimack drops to 4-6 overall and 4-4 in the NE-10.

The Falcons are back in action when they visit Assumption at 1:00 p.m.