Worcester, MA- After almost a week off, the Worcester State Women's Lacrosse (6-5, 1-0) team returned to action this evening to take on the Western Connecticut Wolves (6-5, 2-0) in a game played in support of the ONE LOVE Foundation.
Founded in honor of UVA student-athlete and Lacrosse athlete, Yeardley Love, One Love is a national nonprofit that provides prevention education to young people about the importance of healthy relationships, empowering them to identify and avoid abuse.
We know that everyone will be in a relationship at some point in their life, whether it's with
friends, families, or partners. But what we've realized is that most of us aren't taught how to
have healthy relationships. One Love helps people identify what unhealthy and potentially
abusive relationships may look like, and practice healthy relationship behaviors in their own life.
One Love believes everyone deserves a healthy relationship and we hope you will join us in
spreading their mission to your community. Visit joinonelove.org to learn more.
Final:
Western Connecticut: 16
Worcester State: 13
How it Happened:
The Lancers were off to an incredible start during the cloudy evening scoring seven goals in the first quarter. Junior attacker Hannah Erickson (Dunstable, MA) kicked off the goal flurry, scoping a pass off the ground from junior attacker Shannon Hurley (Feeding Hills, MA). Graduate student Shea Jarvis (Auburn, MA) racked up three goals in the first quarter alone, the first coming by way of a free shot that was earned as the Auburn native zoomed behind the net to create contact for the foul. Junior attacker Abigail Wing (Griswold, CT) scored, increasing Worcester's lead to 3-0. First-year Meghan Bowen inserted herself into the score sheet on a free shot, using her speed and agility to force the WestConn player into fouling her, allowing her to put the Lancers up 4-0. Each goal came within the first five minutes of the contest. WestConn eventually found themselves on the board with a goal from Vicky Gracey to make it 5-2 Shea Jarvis followed with back-to-back goals of her own for a 6-2 lead, first-year midfielder Madigan Kelley (Bourne, MA) and sophomore attacker Abigail Vincent (Lakeville, MA) were credited with assists as they both read Jarvis's free runs to net, completing crucial passes for the goals. In between the Jarvis goals. Worcester on a card advantage saw Abigail Wing ring in her second of the night. Gracey got one back for the Wolves on an assist from Crotty to make it 7-3 heading into the second.
The second quarter featured a resurgence for WestConn with the Wolves scoring six unanswered goals. Vicky Gracy got it going with an unassisted goal, followed by three straight goals from Faye Jung to bring the score to a tie at 7-7. Vicky Gracey tacked on her fourth of the evening, giving WestConn their first lead of the night at 8-7 with 3:25 left. Sophomore midfielder Mckayla Fisher (Peabody, MA) scored on a women advantage to level the game once again, teammate sophomore attacker Molly Witkowski (Greenville, NY) nearly two minutes later put the Lancers up one with her first of the night.
During the first twenty-one seconds of the third period, Faye Junge added to her spectacular night by scoring again to bring the game to another deadlock. Molly Witkowski answered with three straight goals of her own, the first coming on a beautiful pass from sophomore Shannon Donahue (Dennis, MA), the score 12-9 Worcester. Vicky Gracey slotted another goal to begin a run of seven unanswered goals for the Wolves to put them up 16-12 with 2:21 remaining in the fourth. Madison Ratchford notched three goals as teammate Alexa Riggio added two. Katelyn Contreras sprinkled in a goal to secure the Wolves lead. Abigail Vincent tacked on a late goal to make the final 16-13 WestConn.
What's Next:
With the final horn, the Lancers (6-6, 1-0) will now turn their focus back to conference play as they travel to Bourne, MA to square up with Mass. Maritime on Friday night at 7 pm.