Women's Lacrosse Defeated In Overtime By Gordon, 13-12

Worcester, MA --- Gordon senior Abby Illian (Hillsdale, NJ) notched an unassisted tally with 1:25 remaining in overtime to help defeat Worcester State, 13-12, this evening in non-league women's lacrosse action at Coughlin Field.

In the victory the Fighting Scots improve to 8-7 while the Lancers fall to 10-4 in the setback. 

Trailing 11-5 with just under 15 minutes remaining in regulation, Gordon used a furious six goal outburst to tie up the score ten minutes later. Junior Jessica Castelline (Concord, MA) was instrumental in the run as she had three goals and two assists in the surge.

In the extra session, sophomore Angelina Sutherland (Tyngsboro, MA) helped the Blue and Gold take over the one-goal advantage with 4:28 on the clock in OT, but sophomore Caroline Walton (Irvine, CA) and Illian potted the last two tallies to aid Gordon and seal up the victory.

In the waning moments of overtime, senior Angela Grassetti (Feeding Hills, MA) had a free position bid for the potential tying score, however, her bid was stopped short by freshman netminder Zita Nagel (Wayland, MA).

Worcester State originally staked an 8-2 advantage at the intermission with four goals by junior Kaila Chase (Northbridge, MA). Castelline had both of Gordon's markers in the period as she finished with for the visitors, to go with two assists.

Both squads went goal for goal over the first 15 minutes of the second stanza before Gordon went on their run to equalize the game.

Junior Jackie Connors (Ashland, MA) and freshman Alexis Vecchiarelli (Agawam, MA) both contributed two goals apiece as Connors contributed three helpers and five draw controls for WSU.

Grassetti, junior Katelyn Murphy (Billerica, MA) and classmate Mackenzie Callini (W. Springfield, MA) all ended the night with a trio of draw controls to help the hosts nearly double up their opponents in the category, 19-10.

Vecchiarelli and Grassetti also combined for seven ground balls while also causing a turnover each for the hosts.

Illian had a hat-trick with five ground balls and junior Bailey Grinnell (S. Hamilton, MA) added two markers and a team-high four draws.

Sophomore Lea Robichaud (Holden, MA) absorbed the setback as she turned aside six shots. Robichaud's record dropped to 10-3 with the loss.

Nagel (2-0) recorded six saves in 47:56 minutes of action in relief of sophomore Jackie Kiernan (Lexington, MA).

WSU led in shots, 29-21 (19-7 in first half), ground balls (20-18) and missed just one clear opportunity (10-for-11), however, the Lancers converted only two of their 10 attempts at the eight-meter line.

After the first half, Gordon was 9-for-11 on clears and only turned the ball over seven times in the final 36 minutes of the contest.  

Connors is one helper away from tying former standout Shannon Feeley (2006-09) for the program's all-time assist mark. Manning

Both squads will play conference opponents on Saturday. Worcester State looks to regroup this weekend in a key MASCAC matchup at home against Fitchburg State at 1 PM on Saturday. Gordon heads to Dudley for an 11 AM meeting against Nichols.