Milton, MA --- Curry junior Malorie Knowlton (Norfolk, MA) potted a game-best seven goals and sophomore Kelly Parker (Bradford, CT) finished with five points as they both helped lead the Colonel's to a 17-15 victory over Worcester State in non-conference women's lacrosse action this evening at the Walter M. Katz Field.
With the win, Curry improved its record to 5-6 while the Lancers fell to 6-2 in the loss. Tonight's contest was a rematch of last year's ECAC Division III New England Women's Lacrosse Tournament final, which the Colonel's won 11-7 at WSU's Coughlin Field.
In addition to her four goals, Parker also picked up a match-high six ground balls, sophomore Rachel Lawrence (Hanover, MA) added four ground balls with four draws and junior Alexis Cran (Bradford, CT) had nine draws.
Junior Kaila Chase (Northbridge, MA) netted five goals to lead the charge for the Blue and Gold as sophomore Alaina Martin (E. Longmeadow, MA) notched a hat-trick, with two markers coming from the eight-meter line, and she recorded a trio of forced miscues.
Senior Angela Grassetti (Feeding Hills, MA) had four draws while junior Jackie Connors (Ashland, MA) registered four ground balls, three draw controls and two caused turnovers.
The game was a closely contested one as neither team led by more than two at any point during the 60 minute affair.
The largest of the opening stanza was when Curry maintained a late 7-5 edge at the 7:11 mark, however, sophomore Angelina Sutherland (Tyngsboro, MA) made it a one-goal deficit at the intermission with some help by senior Jackie Lawlor (Westford, MA) as 4:44 read on the clock.
Chase ignited a run to start off the second half for the vistitors by tallying two of the first three goals to give Worcester State the 9-7 edge, just four minutes into the frame.
Curry promptly knotted the game up at 9-9 with 24:11 remaining to set off a remarkable 19 minute stretch which saw the Lancers take the lead four times, only to see the hosts answer each time with the equalizing markers.
Following the tenth tie of the contest and fifth of the period at 14-14, the Colonel's seized the momentum by closing out the game with a 3-1 spurt for what proved to be the final score.
Knowlton had a hand in the outburst with two initial markers for Curry, but Chase found the back of the net to give the Lancers some life as 1:45 remained in the game.
After a win on the ensuing draw by WSU at midfield, the Lancers turned the ball over offensively right back to the Colonel's. The hosts took full advantage, putting themselves ahead by two on a sophomore Abby Carnivale (Beverly, MA) tally with 1:05 ticks left in the game.
Carnivale then earned the final faceoff of the game and the hosts ran out the clock maintaining possession of the ball in the final minute of regulation.
Senior Christina Wallis (Peabody, MA) upped her record to 5-6 with 11 saves. Sophomore Krissy Pessa (Walpole, MA) turned aside nine shots on goal in her first setback of the year (0-1).
Worcester State held the advantage in ground balls, but Curry led in shots (37-32) and draws (18-14). The Lancers also forced 13 of the Colonel's 21 overall turnovers.
Both squads host conference opponents on Saturday. The Blue and Gold take on Salem State in a 1 o'clock MASCAC affair while Curry entertains Gordon in a CCC matchup at 6 PM.
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