Lancers Lead Walk for One Love After Blistering Opening Quarter

WORCESTER, Mass. – Saturday afternoon's Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's lacrosse game was dedicated to the One Love Foundation, and members of both teams were joined by fans, officials and game staff to walk the track at halftime in support of the organization's mission of educating people about healthy relationships. 

By that point, the Lancers had already built a sizeable lead over MCLA, spurred by an 11-0 first quarter, and were well on their way to a 19-1 victory in the conference opener for both sides. 

The One Love Foundation was formed in the wake of the murder of Yeardley Love, a University of Virginia Women's Lacrosse player who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend three weeks shy of graduation. One Love educates young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships, empowering them to identify and avoid abuse and learn how to love better. 

Each year, the lacrosse team works towards their goal of walking/running 1 million yards as a team and Worcester State community. With the help of those in attendance today, 49,600 yards were walked. 

On the field, the Lancers wasted no time in jumping out to a big lead. Hannah Erickson (Dunstable, Mass.) scored in the first minute and Clare Conway (Billerica, Mass.) potted the next three goals in under two minutes. 

Conway finished the first quarter with four goals and finished the game with five goals and an assist, eclipsing the 200-point plateau for her career, including her time at Becker College. 

Fourteen of the seventeen field players for Worcester State registered at least a point. Erickson scored twice and added a helper in the win. Taylor Dube (Milford, Mass.) led the team with three assists and also scored. 

Lily Gendron (Lakeville, Mass.) had a goal and two assists, while Bridget Smestad (Branford, Conn.), Jessica McKenzie (Mendon, Mass.) and Emily Pavoni (Granby, Mass.) each had a goal and an assist.

Worcester State outshot MCLA (1-5, 0-1 MASCAC) 21-1 in the first quarter and 45-4 for the game. It was 12-0 when Skyelyn Haynes (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.) scored on a free position shot to put the Trailblazers on the board.

The Lancers were perfect on clear attempts (7-7), while holding MCLA to just 5-12 on clears. Worcester also had a 16-5 edge in ground balls and a 17-6 advantage in draw controls, led by Gendron, who had four, and McKenzie and Julia Ravenelle (Barrington, N.H.), with three apiece.  

First year goalie Sofia Perivolotis (Littleton, Mass.) made two saves to earn her first collegiate victory (1-1).

Senior Allesha Quinlivan (Watervliet, N.Y.) stopped 10 shots on the day for MCLA, who will host Framingham State one week from today.

Worcester State travels to Wellesley on Tuesday for a 5:00 PM start in non-conference action.