WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University women's lacrosse team won its first ever game against Bridgewater State University on Friday evening to open up Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference play by a final score of 10-7 at Coughlin Field.
With the win, Worcester State opens its season at 1-0 overall and in conference play, while Bridgewater State drops to 0-1.
Worcester State celebrated Senior Day before the contest, honoring seniors Kylie Hill (Lunenburg, Mass.), Lauren Arbec (Fairhaven, Mass.), Hannah Sledzieski (Northampton, Mass.), Abby Magnuson (Ellington, Conn.), and Chloe O'Brien (Sturbridge, Mass.) before the game.
Dating back to 2002, the Bears had won all 22 previous meetings between the two MASCAC foes.
Sophomore Lily Gendron (Lakeville, Mass.) opened the scoring for Worcester State on a free position goal just over 11 minutes in, but the visitors responded with three goals in exactly two minutes to take a 3-1 lead. Worcester State refused to go down quietly however, scoring five of the next six goals to take a 6-4 lead into halftime.
Gendron tallied four goals before the break, while Sarah DesVergnes (Limerick, Maine) and Magnuson added markers for the Lancers. Senior Emily Hiller (Marion, Mass.) netted a pair in the first half for the Bears, while Kelsi Brennan (Dedham, Mass.) and Katie O'Brien (Pembroke, Mass.) each found the back of the net once
Hiller and Katherine Tracey (Marion, Mass.) each scored in the first five minutes of the second half to level the score at 6-6. Worcester State, however, would score the game's next four goals to all but put the game out of reach. Sledzieski, Shea Jarvis (Auburn, Mass.), Gendron, and Magnuson all found the net in the second half for the hosts. Katie O'Brien scored with just over four and a half minutes to go for the Bears, but it would prove far too little too late.
Both goalkeepers were sharp in the contest, as both Worcester State winning goalkeeper Chloe O'Brien and Bridgewater's Olivia Kerrigan (Braintree, Mass.) turned away eight shots.
The teams will square off again on Sunday evening at 6 p.m. in Bridgewater.
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