Worcester, MA --- Sophomore Molly Kilday (Westford, MA) poured in four goals and dished two assists while freshman Jackie Connors (Ashland, MA) netted a hat-trick as both helped lead Worcester State over Rhode Island College in non-conference women's lacrosse action this evening at Coughlin Field.
The Lancers improve to 7-2 on the campaign while the Anchorwomen fall to 4-5.
After much back-and-forth action in the field without a score, RIC sophomore Danielle Landon (Wading River, NY) broke the stalemate at the 17:02 mark with a free possession shot.
Kilday helped even things up less than 90 seconds later, but second-year Jessica Ricci (Hope, RI) tallied for the visitors to make the score 2-1 with 13:40 left.
Worcester State then seized the momentum by playing stellar defense as the hosts rattled off the next three goals for the 4-2 advantage.
Following a marker by junior Ashley Signoriello (Cranston, RI) with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half, Kilday and sophomore Michelle Tully (Tewksbury, MA) both tallied on eight-meter shots to help give the Blue and Gold the 6-3 edge at the intermission.
The Blue and Gold continued to build up their margin with a trio of goals to start off the second frame for the 9-3 score with 25:28 on the clock.
Rhode Island College responded and hit home four goals in a span of just under three minutes of game time to trail 9-7.
After freshman Kalia Chase (Northbridge, MA) and junior Vicki O'Brien (Canton, MA) scored 14 seconds apart near the midway mark, Signoriello registered her third point of the contest to keep pace with 13:40 left to play for the 11-8 contest.
But Worcester State took control as they ran out the clock with a 3-1 spurt to end the game for the final score.
O'Brien and Chase both finished with two goals and a helper while sophomore Angela Grassetti (Feeding Hills, MA) handed out three assists.
Second-year Sam Erwin (Attleboro, MA) distinguished herself defensively with a game-best eight ground balls and a trio of forced miscues. Freshman Katelyn Murphy (Billerica, MA) ended the night with five draws, three ground balls and two caused turnovers.
RIC was paced by Signoriello, Ricci and Landon who all contributed two goals each. Landon had a team-best four draws and junior Sam Nolte (Cranston, RI) added a squad-high seven ground balls and a trio of caused turnovers.
Senior Alex Chisholm (N. Brookfield, MA) registered nine saves in the triumph while third-year Taryn Carbone (Cranston, RI) collected 19 saves in the setback – including 15 in the opening frame alone.
Worcester State outshot the visitors (41-26), out drew their opponents (18-8), notched a significant lead in ground balls (46-32) and were effective on clears (14-for-18).
In the final stanza, Rhode Island College held the 16-14 edge in shots, the 15-14 margin in ground balls and were 8-for-12 on clears.
Both squads will play conference opponents at 1 o'clock on Saturday. The Lancers host Westfield State in a key MASCAC matchup while the Anchorwomen head North to play Keene State in a Little East affair.