Strong First Half Propels Westfield State Past Women’s Lacrosse 13-8

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University women's lacrosse team was defeated 13-8 by Westfield State University this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Maple Street Field.     

With the win, the Owls improve to 9-4 on the year and remain unbeaten in the MASCAC at 4-0, while the Rams are now 7-6 overall and are now 2-2 in the league.

The Owls jumped on the board first in the opening half with a pair of goals from sophomore Alexa Tonelli in the opening four minutes.  A free position goal from freshman Ashley Duhaime (Belchertown, Mass.) cut the deficit to 2-1, but the Owls closed the frame with six unanswered goals to take an 8-1 lead at the half.  Tonelli added two more markers in the half, while sophomore Marissa Nimeskern added three on the spurt.

The Rams started the second half with back-to-back goals from freshmen Grace Gamache (Dartmouth, Mass.) and Nicole Pacheco (Woburn, Mass.) to pull within five (8-3) just over two minutes into the frame.  The Owls responded with two goals of their own to push the lead back to seven with just over 20 minutes remaining.

The Rams cut the deficit to five on free position shot from Gamache with 13 minutes remaining, but the Owls pushed the lead back seven.

The Rams were paced by three goals from Gamache, while Duhaime and Pacheco added two goals apiece.

The Owls were led by four goals for Tonelli, while Nimeskern added three.

Maria Woodall (Norfolk, Mass.) earned the win for the Owls making four saves in a half of action, while Indigo Fox Tree-McGrath (Bedford, Mass.) took the loss making 12 saves.

The Rams are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Salem State at 12 p.m., while the Owls host Worcester State on Saturday night at 7 p.m.