By Jen Toland, College Beat Writer

April 1, 2015

Worcester, MA --- Junior Kaila Chase had never held a stick when she showed up for her first day of lacrosse practice at Northbridge High seven years ago. Chase was a freshman on the Rams' first varsity team, and she helped get the program going.

Now a junior at Worcester State, Chase is a career 100-goal scorer for the Lancers, who won their first six games of the season and are 6-1 heading into Thursday's game at Curry.

On Monday, Chase and her teammates, including sophomore Lea Robichaud of Holden and freshman Mackenzie Little of Marlboro, got to share their experiences and skills with members of the Worcester Public Schools girls' varsity and junior varsity teams during a clinic Worcester State coach Deb Draper and the Lancers held on Coughlin Field.

A couple of the Worcester players were first-timers, and Chase remembered what that was like.

"I was right in these girls' shoes," she said. "I think (the clinic) is really helpful. It was hard being a freshman and playing lacrosse for the first time. I've come a long way from then, and it's kind of cool that now I'm here with a 6-1 team."

With 25 goals and six assists, Chase leads Worcester State in scoring and ranks second in the MASCAC in goals and points. Junior Jackie Connors is second in the conference with 11 assists. Robichaud has been solid in goal and ranks fourth with a 9.34 goals against average.

Little, who enrolled at Worcester State in January, has been an important contributor off the bench.

"This group is like your dream team," said Draper, who is in her ninth year as Worcester State coach. "They are focused, they work hard, they work as a family. They are willing to just get out there and work and do what needs to be done."

The Lancers won a program-record 13 games each of the last two seasons. Last year, Worcester State advanced to the MASCAC Tournament final and made their first appearance in the ECAC Division 3 New England championship game. Draper was named MASCAC Coach of the Year.

Worcester State returned all seven of its 2014 All-MASCAC selections, including Chase and Robichaud, so this year's early success isn't that much of a surprise.

"We knew we could win," Robichaud said, "but then we kept winning and winning and winning, and it was great. We have a lot of players who were together last year, so we had that unity and that was helpful in the beginning of our season."

Robichaud, a Wachusett Regional graduate, transferred to Worcester State after attending Quinnipiac her freshman year. One of the things missing from her Quinnipiac experience was lacrosse.

"It was a big hole in my life," Robichaud said. "It's nice to be on the field again and able to play."

Little is one of four freshmen on the roster.

"Our team chemistry is great, and it really shows when we practice, too," Chase said. "The freshmen have fit right in, and we all work really hard, and it shows on the field."

The Lancers suffered their first loss, a 19-12 setback at Westfield State, last Saturday.

"It was not for lack of playing hard," Draper said. "A couple things didn't go our way, and Westfield played a good game. We'll see what we can do when we hit the rest of the conference."

This was the third year Worcester State conducted the clinic for the Worcester girls' co-op team.

"For our kids, it's great being able to give back to the younger players," Draper said, "and the Worcester kids get to see the higher skills and get down here and see the college players play and kind of get an idea of what it takes."

Worcester Telegram & Gazette Article

Freshman Alexis Vecchiarelli Explaining The Shooting Drill To Two Players On The

Worcester Public School Girls Lacrosse Team

Sophomore Goalie Lea Robichaud Catching A Ball While Practicing Clears With One Of The Goalies From

The Worcester Public School Girls Lacrosse Team

Junior Kaila Chase Sets Up A Draw During The Scrimmage At The Clinic With The Worcester Public School Girls Lacrosse Team

Junior Jackie Connors And Senior Jackie Lawlor Answer Questions About Offense And Defense During Halftime

Of The Worcester Public School Girls Lacrosse Team Clinic

Team One Huddles Up Before Taking The Field After Halftime Of Scrimmage With The Worcester Public School Girls Lacrosse Team

Action Shot During Scrimmage At The Clinic With The Worcester Public School Girls Lacrosse Team

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