Women's Lacrosse Falls to Worcester State in MASCAC Opener, 15-8

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The Worcester State University women's lacrosse team opened Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play with a 15-8 victory over visiting Bridgewater State University on Saturday afternoon at Coughlin Memorial Field.

The Lancers improve to 3-5 (1-0 MASCAC) on the season, while the Bears fall to 4-6 (0-1 MASCAC). After dropping the first 22 games in the all-time series against the Bears, the Lancers have won each of the last five meetings.

Graduate attack Clare Conway (Billerica, Mass.) paced Worcester State with two goals and a game-high five assists. The Lancers also received three goals apiece from senior midfielder Lily Gendron (Lakeville, Mass.) and freshman attack Mckayla Fisher (Peabody, Mass.) as well as a goal and three helpers from sophomore attack Ashley Hurley (Feeding Hills, Mass.). Gendron added four ground balls, three draw controls and three caused turnovers, while Fisher filled the stat sheet with four ground balls, a draw control and four caused turnovers. Freshman midfielder Cailey Ryan (Acton, Mass.) checked in with a goal and an assist to go along with three ground balls and eight draw controls.

Senior midfielder Delaney Langton (Scituate, R.I.) led the way for Bridgewater State with two goals, two assists, two ground balls, a caused turnover and a career-high ten draw controls. Junior attack Savannah Herrington (Kinnelon, N.J.) contributed two goals, three ground balls and two caused turnovers for the Bears.

Senior midfielder Katie O'Brien (Pembroke, Mass.), junior midfielder Haley Wood (Middleboro, Mass.), sophomore attack Camryn Gonsalves (East Bridgewater, Mass.) and freshman midfielder Meredith Sylvia (South Dartmouth, Mass.) also found the back of the net for the visitors.

Worcester State led 9-3 at the intermission. Conway notched two goals and two assists over the first two periods, while Fisher and senior attack Shea Jarvis (Auburn, Mass.) tallied two goals apiece.

The second half was much more evenly played, but the Bears were unable to get any closer than a six-goal deficit.

Worcester held a 34-23 shot advantage for the game as well as a 23-15 edge in ground balls. The Lancers were a perfect 4-for-4 on free position attempts and converted 18 of 21 clear attempts.

Bridgewater finished with a 15-12 edge in draw controls but turned the ball over 31 times compared to 18 miscues for Worcester. The Bears connected on 3 of 5 free positions attempts and went 13-for-20 on the clear.

Senior goalkeeper Savanna Rosado (Milford, Mass.) made six saves to pick up her third win of the season between the pipes for the Lancers. BSU senior netminder Olivia Kerrigan (Braintree, Mass.) turned aside ten shots in the setback.

In upcoming action, the Bears entertain Plymouth State University on Tuesday night at seven o'clock while the Lancers entertain Emmanuel College on Minday evening at six.