Falcons Fall to Lancers, 9-7

Fitchburg, Mass. - The Fitchburg State University women's lacrosse team fell to the Lancers of Worcester State, 9-7 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this evening at Elliot Field.         

The Basics
Score: Fitchburg State University 7, Worcester State University 9
Record: Fitchburg State University (7-8, 2-4 MASCAC) | Worcester State (9-7, 3-3 MASCAC)

How It Happened

The teams traded eight meter scores from Lancers' freshman Abby Magnuson (Ellington, Conn.) and Falcons' senior Carrie Long (Foxboro, Mass) for a 1-1 score through the first ten minutes. Worcester deposited a pair of goal over ninety seconds to push the score to 3-1. The Lancers received tallies from senior Alexis Vecchiarelli (Agawam, Mass.) and freshman Rachel Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.).

Fitchburg State sophomore Sarah Napolitano (Peabody, Mass.) found a streaking Anna Gagnon-Burch (Putney, Vt.) to make it a one-score game at the 13:18 mark. Worcester pieced together another duo of goals to take a 5-2 advantage. However, the Green and Gold answered at 8:26 with a score from sophomore Tracy Long (Georgetown, Mass.) and freshman Madison Alves (Braintree, Mass.) tipped the twine at 6:40 to cut the deficit to 5-4.  Vecchiarelli notched her 42^nd of the season to round out the first frame scoring giving Worcester a 6-4 lead into the break.

Worcester extended their lead to 7-4 with an opening goal from Hopkins in the second frame. Just 30 seconds later Napolitano notched an unassisted goal and junior Sarah Mallahan (Dracut, Mass.) made it a 7-6 game with 21:53 remaining in the game. With Worcester up 8-6, Napolitano potted her second of the stanza to cut it to a one-goal game. Worcester added an insurance marker with 5:53 remaining for the 9-7 final.

Inside the Numbers

Napolitano led the Falcons with two goals, a helper and three ground balls, while Gagnon-Burch finished the night with a goal and two assists. Long added eight caused turnovers to her NCAA DIII leading total.

Vecchiarelli led the visitors with four goals, teammate Hopkins finished with a 2 goal, 1 assist, 3 groundballs and 1 caused turnover stat line.

Junior Marguerite Belcher (Quincy, Mass.) made 11 saves in the loss, while her counterpart Chloe O'Brien (Sturbridge, Mass.) posted 12 saves in the victory.

Worcester held the advantage in shots (24-19), draw controls (12-6) and turnovers (30-25). Fitchburg held a 31-28 ground ball advantage.

Tenth meeting between the two schools in lacrosse with the Falcons 6-4 all-time when taking on the Lancers.

Fitchburg State had won the last two contests with Worcester State, including an 11-10 triumph last season at Coughlin Field. Former Falcon Andrea Comeau led the way for the Falcons with five points on four goals and one assist.​

Up Next

The Falcons travel next to Massachusetts Maritime Academy Friday for a 7:00 PM. start, while Worcester State travels to Salem State on Saturday for a 7 p.m. contest.