Westfield, MA --- Sophomore Kaila Chase (Northbridge, MA) registered a hat-trick while junior Jackie Lawlor (Westford, MA) picked up four ground balls and a duo of draw controls to help propel Worcester State to a 10-7 victory over Westfield State in MASCAC women's lacrosse action on Saturday evening.
The Lancers (6-3, 1-1 MASCAC) were also led by junior Molly Kilday (Westford, MA), classmate Michelle Tully (Tewksbury, MA) and Alaina Martin (E. Longmeadow, MA) who all scored twice for the visitors.
Tully, Chase and Martin all combined for seven ground balls as sophomore Jackie Connors (Ashland, MA) had a game-best five draws.
Sophomore Blair Smith (Milford, MA) paced the Owls (6-6, 2-1 MASCAC) with a trio of markers and junior Stephanie Lendhart (Duxbury, MA) recorded four assists.
Senior Jen Carew (Billerica, MA) added three ground balls while fourth-year teammate Lee Meskevich (Becket, MA) and freshman Caroline Smart (Weymouth, MA) forced a pair of miscues.
Four different goal scorers helped the Blue and Gold jump out to a 4-0 lead midway through the first period. Tully broke a scoreless stalemate with a free position shot at the 23:48 mark before Chase finished things off with an unassisted tally at 18:23.
The Owls responded when Maskevich scored with 11:46, but freshman Angelina Sutherland (Tyngsboro, MA) helped the Lancers answer the call five minutes later with some help by Connors.
Westfield State, however, made it a three goal deficit to trail 5-2 at the intermission with a score by Smart with 6:18 on the clock.
Chase tallied twice for the Lancers in a 3-1 mini run over the first 4½ minutes of the second period to help open up an 8-3 advantage.
After Lenhardt and freshman Megan O'Brien (Hanover, MA) potted markers to cut the margin to three Marin and Tully came right back with goals of their own to help WSU hold the 10-5 edge at the 22:08 mark.
Following a Smith goal with 17:02 remaining in regulation to help the Owls trail by four, the contest was marked by a remarkable 16 minute stretch where neither squad scored.
The Lancers missed three free possession opportunities and sophomore net minder Mimi Khampaeng (Hamden, MA) saved two shots for Westfield State during the stretch. WSU freshman goalie Lea Robichaud (Holden, MA) matched the effort as she registered a trio of saves to keep the hosts off the board.
Smith broke the drought for the Owls with 1:00 left to shave the deficit to three goals, but they could not convert another tally in the waning moments for the game's final score.
Robichaud collected nine saves and a pair of ground balls in the victory for Worcester State while Khampaeng turned aside 11 shots for the hosts.
The Lancers led in shots on goal (21-16) while also controlling the draw (14-5) and the loose ball margin (18-17). The Owls held the overall edge in shots for the game (29-26).
Both squads return to MASCAC action with Tuesday evening matchups at 7 PM. The Blue and Gold entertain Framingham State while Westfield State travels to Bridgewater State.
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