Women's Lacrosse Falls to Roger Williams, 15-14

BRISTOL, R.I. - The Roger Williams University Women's Lacrosse team erased a five-goal deficit in the second period to best Bridgewater State, 15-14, in the closing seconds of a non-conference thriller.

The Hawks climb to 7-7 overall while the Bears drop to 8-5 on the season.

Trailing 14-9 with the clock ticking down toward the ten-minute mark of the second half, the Hawks scored six unanswered goals including the game-winner on a free position shot by Kelsey Rahilly with just seven seconds remaining.

For 40 minutes, the visiting Bears seemed in control of the contest with Taylor Clancy leading the way.  Clancy scored a career-high eight goals to go along with an assist for a game-high nine points.  She also added a game-best eight controlled draws.

Clancy tallied five goals in the first half and added three more in the third.  Her goal with 15:57 remaining staked the Bears to the 14-9 lead.

Melissa Renauld added four goals for the visitors, while Lauren Geary found the back of the net twice and registered seven draws.  Bridgewater held a 19-10 advantage in draws for the game.

McKenna Everding, who finished with a team-best six goals, started the Hawks' second half rally as she converted a pass from Rahilly.  Rahilly followed with an unassisted tally, and Samantha Davenport scored on a free position attempt to cut the deficit to 14-12 with 4:01 remaining.

Kristen Pingree made it a one-goal game (14-13) with 2:40 left on the clock, and then assisted on Everding's game-tying strike with 1:23 remaining.

That would set the stage for Rahilly's heroics in the closing seconds.

With the game tied, BSU won the ensuing draw but sailed a shot wide.  Caitlin Shanahan outhustled two attackers to earn the possession for the Hawks.  RWU worked the ball down the field and Rahilly was fouled as the clock ticked under ten seconds.  She then beat the BSU keeper on the free position attempt to complete the comeback victory.

Rahilly finished with two goals and five assists, while Pingree notched five goals and added an assists.

Kimberly Bolk made nine saves to pick up the win between the pipes for the Hawks.  Chandler Ross turned aside six shots for the Bears in her first appearance (due to injury) since March 27th.

The Hawks, who never led in the game until Rahilly's game-winner, held a 29-25 shot advantage for the game.

Roger Williams will be back in action on Tuesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. in Keene N.H. to take on the Owls of Keene State.  Bridgewater State heads to Framingham State on Saturday, April 19 for a 12 p.m. MASCAC match up.

Notes: With her nine points, Clancy moved into seventh place on the Bears' all-time scoring list.  She now has 211 points (154G, 57A) in four seasons at Bridgewater State.