Women's Lacrosse Opens Conference Play with 18-10 Victory over Worcester
Worcester, Mass. – Framingham State University senior Kimmy Foley (Mansfield, Mass.) and sophomore Nicole Pacheco (Woburn, Mass.) combined for nine goals and four assists to guide the Rams to an 18-10 victory over Worcester State in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's lacrosse opener Saturday afternoon at Coughlin Field.
With the win, the Rams have won seven straight and improve to 8-1 on the year and are now 1-0 in the MASCAC. The Lancers even their season mark at 4-4 with the loss and are now 0-1 in league action.
Worcester State began the outing with back-to-back free position shots from Kelly Austin (Brimfield, Mass.) and Mackenzie Little (Marlboro, Mass.) for a 2-0 lead. However, Framingham State responded with four consecutive goals including two from Pacheco to take the 4-2 advantage mid-way through the first half.
Worcester State's Ashely Perugini (Watertown, Conn.) broke the Rams' run with 14:41 to go in the first half on a helper from Hannah Sledzieski (Northampton, Mass.). Framingham State concluded the half with a 3-1 run led by freshman Alissa Marino (Trumbull, Conn.) to set the score at 7-4 heading into the break.
The Lancers' Austin tallied the first goal of the second half on a free position shot, but Framingham State answered with five straight including one apiece from Pacheco and to up the score to 12-5.
Worcester State added two goals from Little and Austin halfway through the frame, but Framingham State would go on another 5-0 scoring binge led by Foley to hold a 18-7 advantage with 6:46 to go in the game.
Worcester State concluded the game with three goals of their own – one from Taylor Dube (Milford, Mass.) on a free position shot, and two unassisted goals from Little to settle at an 18-10 final score.
Foley led the Rams' offense with five goals and two assists. She also picked up a game-high six draws, three ground balls, and caused two turnovers.
Pacheco tallied four goals and two assists with four draws, one ground ball and one caused turnover.
Hanna McMahon (Watertown, Mass.) and Kristen Keenan (Methuen, Mass.) each had two goals for the visitors.
Worcester State's Little and Austin had four and three goals, respectively. Little was the Lancers' leader in draws with five, while Austin caused four turnovers. Isabell Baldrate (Plymouth, Mass.) picked up six ground balls for Worcester State.
Indigo Fox Tree-McGrath (Bedford, Mass.) earned the win in net, making four saves in the 60 minutes played.
Worcester State's Chloe O'Brien (Sturbridge, Mass.) was tabbed the loss in a 7-save performance.
Framingham State held the edge in draw controls (19-11), shots (33-15) and ground balls (24-22).
Worcester State converted 5-of-6 free position shots, while Framingham State scored on four of seven free position shot attempts.
The Lancers host Eastern Connecticut State University on Tuesday (Apr. 3) at 4 p.m. while the Rams host Smith on Wednesday (Apr. 4) at 7 p.m.
Portions of release courtesy of WSU Sports Information