WORCESTER, Mass. - Bridgewater State scored the game's final seven goals unanswered to defeat the Worcester State University women's lacrosse team 20-15 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at John F. Coughlin Field.
With the loss, Worcester State's five-game winning sterak comes to a close, and the team falls to 7-3 overall on the season, 2-1 in the MASCAC. Bridgewater State improves to 7-4 and 2-1 in conference play.
Neither team held a decided edge in the game's opening 30 minutes, but the Bears headed to the break with a narrow 10-9 lead. Sophomores Abby Magnuson (Ellington, Conn.), Kylie Hill (Lunenburg, Mass.), and Coley Hayes (Norwood, Mass.), as well as freshman Madison Brennan (Pomfret, Conn.), all scored a pair of first half goals for Worcester State, with Rachel Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) adding one tally. Elizabeth Ettridge (Marshfield, Mass.) and Hayley White (Dracut, Mass.) each netted first half hat tricks to lead the Bears.
A pair of Magnuson goals highlighted a 4-0 Worcester State run to open the second half, giving the hosts its largest lead of the game at 13-10 with 20:53 remaining in regulation. Bridgewater responded quickly however, with Ettridge and freshman Katherine Tracy (Marion, Mass.) goals 19 seconds apart less than a minute later to cut the deficit to 13-12.
After a pair of Ann Maher (Mansfield, Mass.) goals moments later gave Worcester State a 15-13 lead with 14:59 remaining, Bridgewater State kicked it into another gear end the contest. A man-up goal with 9:32 remaining proved to be the game-winner before the Bears played keep away in the final minutes to secure the victory.
Bridgewater State junior Victoria McDonough (Marshfield, Mass.) finished the game with two goals and seven assists for nine points to lead all players. Ettridge scored eight goals in the victory, while White added five goals and two assists. Freshman Hayley Carron (Hopedale, Mass.) collected her first collegiate goal in the victory. Goalkeeper Hayley Barner (Westwood, Mass.) made 10 stops to get the win.
Worcester State's leading scorer in the contest was Magnuson, who recorded a career best four goals as well as an assist in the defeat. Maher and Brennan each had three goals and an assist.
The Lancers will be back in action on Tuesday with a 6 p.m. start at MCLA. Bridgewater State will be back in action the same evening with a non-conference road trip to Roger Williams.
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