Worcester, MA --- Sophomore Kaila Chase (Northbridge, MA) finished with six points off five goals and one helper as she propelled top-seeded Worcester State to a 16-11 triumph over #4 Becker in the semifinals of the ECAC Division III New England Women's Lacrosse Tournament at Coughlin Field.
With the win the Lancers match their program record for victories in a season to improve to 13-4 on the campaign. The Blue and Gold also advance to their first-ever ECAC championship game to take on #2 Curry for all the marbles on Sunday at 1 PM.
The Hawks, who were making their first-ever appearance in the ECAC playoffs, ends their fine campaign at 9-8.
Senior Amy Tucker (N. Attleboro, MA) registered a hat-trick as junior Angela Grassetti (Agawam, MA) finished with team highs of four ground balls and six draws. Classmate Jackie Lawlor (Westford, MA) picked up six ground balls and caused a trio of turnovers
Second-year Jackie Connors (Ashland, MA) dished out three assists and notched four draws while freshman Angelina Sutherland (Tyngsboro, MA) did a little bit of everything with two goals, one assist, three draws and two forced miscues.
Senior Ashley Mossey (Ballston Lake, NY) led the charge for Becker as she ended the contest with two goals, two assists, four ground balls and six draws. She ends her outstanding career as the all-time leading goal scorer in program history with 246 markers.
Junior Tatum Fahs (Foster, RI) shared the game-lead with six points which included four goals as teammate Alyssa Bond (Thompson, CT) recorded five ground balls and three caused turnovers.
Worcester State opened the contest with a 5-1 advantage over the first 18 minutes of the game. Becker responded with two quick goals by senior Christina Boucher (Pawcatuck, CT) and Fahs to trail by two goals as 7:51 was on the clock in the opening period.
Sutherland, junior Molly Kilday (Westford, MA) and Chase all potted tallies to help the Lancers close out the period with a 3-1 run for the 8-4 margin at the intermission.
Play was even for much of the first 20 minutes of the second period as the Lancers maintained their advantage at 12-8 with 11:42 left in regulation.
Hawk sophomore Rachel Welling (Charlestown, NH) potted an unassisted tally to help her squad trail by three markers with 10:06 left, but then Sutherland and Chase helped give the hosts some breathing room for the 14-9 edge six minutes later.
Becker didn't go away as Fahs and Mossey connected on goals 17 seconds apart on free position attempts.
But the Lancers scored twice and ran out the clock with Grassetti and senior Vicki O'Brien (Canton, MA) coming through for the Blue and Gold in the waning moments of the contest.
Freshman Lea Robichaud (Holden, MA) turned aside eight shots for Worcester State as she tied the program record for the most wins as a goalkeeper with a record of 13-4 on the year.
Sophomore Shelby Wicks (Shraftsbury, VT) recorded six stops in the setback for the Haws as she dropped to 8-8.
Worcester State led in shots 29-24, ground balls (26-21) and draws (18-12). After going 5-for-11 on clears in the opening frame, the Lancers went 8-for-9 in the category in the second period.
Becker was 13-for-16 in clearing the ball, but only converted four of their nine bids from the eight-meter line.
You can follow the Worcester State Lancers on Facebook and Twitter