Connors, Chase Ignite Women's Lacrosse Victory Over RIC

Providence, RI --- Sophomore teammates Jackie Connors (Ashland, MA) and Kaila Chase (Northbridge, MA) collected five points apiece as they helped fuel Worcester State to a 16-9 victory over Rhode Island College in non-conference women's lacrosse action this evening,

For the Lancers (5-3), Connors finished with three goals and two helpers while Chase tallied four times and dished out one assist.

Freshman Alaina Martin (E. Longmeadow, MA) also added a hat-trick while junior Angela Grassetti (Feeding Hills, MA) had a great all-around game with two markers and a pair of assists while she finished with a trio of ground balls, three draw controls and a trifecta of caused turnovers.

First-year Angelina Sutherland (Tyngsboro, MA) also was a star defensively with four ground balls, three draws and a pair of forced miscues.

The Anchorwomen (4-4) were paced by junior teammates Jessica Ricci (Hope, RI) and Danielle Landon (Wading River, NY) who both netted four goals each as senior Jessalyn O'Neill (N. Providence, RI) chipped in with three helpers, five draws and tied for the game-lead with a trio of caused turnovers.

Senior Ashley Alardi (N. Providence, RI) and freshman Sara Stone (Wakefield, RI) both combined for 11 ground balls for RIC.

Clinging to a slim 8-7 edge at the intermission, Connors helped give the Lancers some breathing room with two goals and two helpers in a 4-1 mini run to help the visitors stake the 12-8 advantage with just under 11 minutes off the clock in the second period.

Chase tallied with 13:34 left and Grassetti hit home another score at the 8:03 remaining to help open up a six-goal margin. After Landon scored for RIC, Martin helped put the game away with two markers in the waning moments to help the Blue and Gold claim their fifth win of the campaign.

Ricci poured in three of the first four goals for the Anchorwomen, who started off the game with an early 4-0 advantage just eight minutes into the opening stanza.

Worcester State responded with six-goal spurt to take over a 6-4 lead with 6:43 on the clock. The rally featured five different scorers as Chase tallied on a pair of occasions for the Lancers.

Landon did score for the hosts to help make it a one-goal contest, but Grassetti and Chase registered markers 2:01 apart to hold an 8-5 lead with 57 seconds remaining.

Rhode Island College, however, won two quick draws as Ricci along with Harmony Tillison (Cranston, RI) notched goals to help the Anchorwomen trail 8-7 at break.

Worcester State led in shots (36-30) and ground balls (38-30), but committed 29 miscues and went 2-for-11 on their free position opportunities. RIC held the slim advantage in draws (14-13) and went 0-for-4 from the eight-meter line in the final period.

Both squads return to their respective conference schedules on Saturday. The Lancers head to Westfield State for a 6 PM meeting while the Anchorwomen entertain Keene State at 1 o'clock.

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