Worcester, MA --- Fitchburg State senior Kelly Finamore (Weymouth, MA) scored seven goals – including her 100th career tally – as she helped the Falcons defeat Worcester State, 20-10, in NEWLA women's lacrosse action this afternoon at John Coughlin Memorial Field.
Fitchburg State (4-5, 2-1 NEWLA) was also paced by junior Jessica Bartlett (Marlborough, MA) who had seven markers while sophomore Chelsea Roberts (Newburyport, MA) and freshman Lindsay White (Hanover, MA) had five goals combined. White also chipped in with four helpers for the visitors while Finamore added two.
Fourth-year Carissa Kennedy (Somerset, MA) and junior Kayla Melville (Merrimac, MA) both had five ground balls for Fitchburg State as Kennedy was a presence on the defensive side of the tying a career-high with six turnovers. Bartlett, Kennedy and second-year Markie Apple (Pittsfield, MA) each had three draw controls apiece.
The Lancers (0-6, 0-2 NEWLA) were paced by sophomore Vicki O'Brien (Canton, MA) who tallied a hat-trick while freshman Michelle Tully (Tewksbury, MA) had two markers. Junior Daryl Powell (Beverly, MA) and sophomore Jaclyn Lawlor (Westford, MA) both had a goal and an assist.
O'Brien, third-year Stacey Doherty (Westford, MA) and freshman Katherine Flannery (Sturbridge, MA) each had four ground balls for Worcester State as Doherty and Lawlor combined for nine draw controls. Doherty also led WSU with two caused turnovers.
The two squads went back and forth by trading goals as the score was knotted 5-5 at the 17:26 mark. Neither team had more than a one goal edge during the 13 minute run.
Fitchburg State was able to end the first half strong as they closed it with a 5-0 run going into the intermission with the 10-5 advantage. Roberts score all three of her goals during the FSU rally.
The Falcons increased their margin over the first 18 minutes of the second stanza as went on a 6-2 spurt with a pair of goals coming off the extra-man advantage to push the lead to 16-7. Bartlett and Finamore combined for four of the six tallies during the skein.
The Falcons outscored WSU 4-3 over the final 12 minutes of the contest to bring the score to its eventual final.
Sophomore goalkeeper Dylana Drolette (Burlington, VT) picked up the win as she made eight stops for FSU while senior Haley Erickson (Saugus, MA) and junior Alexandra Chisholm (N.Brookfield, MA) combined to make 15 saves for the hosts.
Fitchburg State held the 41-21 lead in shots (22-12 – 2nd half) as well as the edge in both groundballs (33-25) and draw controls (18-14). They also were 3-for-4 with the extra man opportunity.
The Lancers were able to convert two of their six free position shots while the visitors were 0-for-4.
Both teams continue NEWLA play on the road this Saturday. The Lancers play Framingham State at 12 PM while the Falcons will take on Salem State for a 4 o'clock tilt.
Release By Jim Sarkisian – Sports Information Assistant