Women's Lacrosse Opens 2013 Campaign with 18-3 Win over Wentworth

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University women's lacrosse team opened the 2013 campaign with an 18-3 victory over Wentworth on Wednesday afternoon at Swenson Field.

The game marked the first varsity contest for Wentworth as the Leopards are competing in their inaugural season.

The host Bears scored the first nine goals of the game and took a commanding 10-1 lead into the intermission.  Bridgewater's biggest lead of the game was the final margin of 18-3.

Sophomore attack Riley Cachelin (Westwood, Mass.) paced the Bears with six goal and an assist, while junior attack Taylor Clancy (Braintree, Mass.) also finished with seven points as she notched a pair of goals and five assists.  Freshman midfielder Lauren Geary (Hull, Mass.) and senior midfielder Shelby Farland (Fiskdale, Mass.) added three goals and two assists apiece.  Junior attack Melanie Appleman (Hyannis, Mass.) chipped in with a goal and three assists, and freshman attack Alexis Hadcock (East Lyme, Conn.) registered three points on two goals and a helper.

Sophomore netminder Jessica Polaski (Agawam, Mass.) recorded two saves to post her first win of the season. Senior defender Olivia Galvin (Mashpee, Mass.) led the Bears' defensive effort with five ground balls and six caused turnovers.  Clancy added six ground balls and five caused turnovers, while Geary recorded five ground balls, four caused turnovers and a game-high nine controlled draws.

Wentworth freshman keeper Rachel Keen (Medford, Mass.) turned aside eight shots in her collegiate debut.  Freshman attack Pam Mudge (Pembroke, Mass.) scored the Leopards' historical first goal with 5:29 remaining in the first half.  Senior midfielder Lisa Piccirillo (Islip, N.Y.) and sophomore midfielder Alexandrea Banks (Ellington, Conn.) also scored for Wentworth.  Sophomore defender Olivia Barrett (Marlborough, Mass.) tallied five ground balls and seven caused turnovers to lead the Leopards on the defensive side.

The Bears outshot the Leopards by a margin of 29-8, and held a 15-8 advantage in controlled draws.

In upcoming action, Bridgewater entertains Rhode Island College on Saturday at noon, while Wentworth travels to Saint Joseph College tomorrow night for a 7:45 match.