Women's Lacrosse Topped by Rhode Island College, 18-8

Providence, R.I.- Sophomore attacker Jessica Ricci (Hope, RI) tallied a career-high nine goals, while junior midfielder Jessalyn O'Neill (North Providence, RI) added a career-high five goals to go along with a team-high three assists, as the Rhode Island College women's lacrosse team defeated Framingham State University, 18-8, at the RIC Lacrosse Field in non-conference action on Tuesday night.

Ricci began her scoring onslaught early in the game, as the second-year attacker poured in four goals in the first five minutes to put Rhode Island College (2-1) on top, 4-0.

After Framingham State (0-3) got on the scoreboard thanks to a pair of goals from senior attacker Chelsea Temple (Rutland, VT) and junior attacker Kerri Robinson (Mashpee, Mass.), the Anchorwomen answered right back with three consecutive goals, thanks to O'Neill, Ricci and sophomore midfielder Lauren Maisano (Bristol, RI), to take a 7-2 lead with 9:04 remaining in the first half.

After senior attacker Heather Masse (Billerica, Mass.) quickly cut the deficit to three with back-to-back goals at the 8:41 and 7:45 mark, respectively, RIC extended its lead to four, 8-4, following Ricci's fifth goal of the evening with just 1:44 left in the frame. Yet, the resilient Rams responded with three straight goals, two from Temple and one from Masse, to head into the intermission trailing by just one.

The second half would prove to be a much different story, as the Anchorwomen opened the frame with five straight goals, including three from O'Neill, to jump ahead of the visitors, 13-7, with 20:13 left to play in the game. Despite a late score from Temple at the 18:02 mark that cut the deficit to five, Rhode Island College tacked on five more goals, highlighted by three more from Ricci, to run away with the, 18-8, victory.

Release courtesy of RIC Sports Information.

Junior attacker Ashley Signoriello (Cranston, RI), freshman attacker Ana Medeiros (New Bedford, MA) and junior defender Sophie Kanno (Cranston, RI) each finished with goals for RIC, while Maisano and Signoriello each tallied a pair of assists.

Junior defender Sam Nolte (Cranston, RI) led the Anchorwomen with seven ground balls, while Ricci and Kanno led the hosts with four draw controls apiece. Signoriello led the team in caused turnovers with five, while O'Neill added four of her own.

Masse finished with four goals and Temple added three to lead Framingham State in the loss. Junior defender Marissa Canfield (Billerica, Mass.) paced the Rams with seven ground balls, while senior defender Courtney Robinson (Beverly, Mass.) led FSU with two caused turnovers.

Junior goalkeeper Taryn Carbone (Cranston, RI) made six saves in the win to improve to 2-1 on the year. On the other end, freshman goalkeeper Alysha Cericola (Waltham, Mass.) stopped 14 shots in the loss (0-3).

The Anchorwomen outshot the Rams, 45-17, and held a decisive advantage in ground balls (28-15). FSU also turned it over 30 times, compared to just 15 miscues for the hosts.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College hosts Salve Regina on Thursday, March 28 (6 p.m.), while the Rams travel to Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Saturday at noon.