N. Dartmouth, MA --- Sophomore Angela Grassetti's (Agawam, MA) marker with 0:01 seconds on the clock helped propelled Worcester State to a 17-16 victory over UMass Dartmouth in non-conference women's lacrosse action at the UMD sports complex.
Down 16-12 with just under six minutes to play, the Lancers used a six-goal spurt and a tenacious defensive effort to help clinch the come-from-behind victory.
Junior Vicki O'Brien (Canton, MA) and freshman Jackie Connors (Ashland, MA) netted goals 30 seconds apart before first-year Kalia Chase (Northbridge, MA) potted the third goal at the 3:08 mark.
The Blue and Gold (4-0) then worked the clock and Chase tacked on the equalizer on a free position shot with 1:43 remaining on the clock to make the score 16-16.
Following a timeout, the Corsairs won the ensuing draw, but sophomore Jaclyn Lawlor (Westford, MA) picked up a loose ball with 22 ticks left in regulation as the Lancers used a heavy full-field pressure defense to create the turnover.
Lawlor then passed the ground ball to Grassetti at the 30-yardline, who sprinted to the other side of the field and hit the post with six seconds on the board. Grassetti calmly corralled her rebounded shot and rifled in the match-clincher as time nearly expired.
Worcester State started off the game with the 6-3 advantage with 10 minutes left in the opening frame.
Sophomore Molly Kilday (Westford, MA) and Chase had a hand in each goal as they both potted two goals and one helper in the run.
But the Corsairs (2-3) closed out the half with a 5-1 surge as the squads were tied up 7-7 at the intermission. Senior Brittany Enos (E. Falmouth, MA) and first-year Colleen Kane (Arlington, MA) each registered a pair of goals in the push as Kane helped create two assists.
Out of the break, the teams traded markers over the first four minutes of the half, but UMass Dartmouth snapped a 9-9 tie with a 5-1 run to open up a 14-10 game with 15:51 remaining. In the skein for the hosts, junior Taylor Corsano (Bourne, MA) netted her hat-trick and fourth-year Denise Gates (Feeding Hills, MA) chipped in with a trio of dishes.
Chase and Connors did register markers for the Lancers over the next five minutes of play to keep pace with their opponents, but junior Victoria Wood (New Bedford, MA) put the Corsairs ahead, 16-12, with 5:43 remaining in regulation.
Chase put up a season-best six points with five goals and one assist as O'Brien, Lawlor, Connors and senior Daryl Powell (Beverly, MA) all registered two goals apiece. Connors also dished out two and Killday also had a campaign-high five points (three goals – two assists).
Defensively, Lawlor had a game-best with 10 ground balls with four draws while Connors finished with five. Powell and Kilday combined to pick-up 10 ground balls to help the Lancers lead in the category, 40-31.
Enos finished with seven points – including six tallies and one helper – and Kane added six points on four goals and a pair of assists to go with seven draws. Gates tied her season high with five assists.
Senior goalie Angelina Donovan (Medford, MA) was the standout on the back line for UMass Dartmouth as she stopped 21 of the 38 shots she saw while she also ended her night with four ground balls and a pair of forced miscues.
Fourth-year Alex Chisholm (Brookfield, MA) collected eight saves in the triumph for the Lancers.
Worcester State outshot their opponents 45-25 (38-24 on goal) and held the 23-12 edge in draw controls.
The Lancers host Adrian at 1 PM on Saturday while the Corsairs entertain Wheelock on Thursday at 4 o'clock.