Westfield State Nips Fitchburg State, 20-17 (2OT)

Burns and Swan combine for 11 points in Falcons overtime fall

WESTFIELD, Mass. (April 11, 2009) - Freshman Amanda Burns (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) and junior Emily Swan (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) combined for 11 points as Fitchburg State was edged in overtime, 20-17 in New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance action this afternoon.

Swan led the Fitchburg State offense with a team-high six points on five goals and one assist, while Burns added five scores and a team-high ten groundballs. Sophomore Kaitlyn Kelley (Pepperell, Mass./North Middlesex) was also solid with five points on three goals and two assists, while classmate Connie Perry (Reading, Mass./Reading Memorial) chipped in with two scores.

Westfield State sophomore Laura Chiricosta (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) led all scorers with a game-high 12 points on eight games and four assists, while classmate Rachel Dionne (Feeding Hills, Mass./Agawam) added five scores and three helpers. Senior Kasey Rogers (West Springfield, Mass./West Springfield) and junior Ally Brown (Andover, Mass./Andover) were also solid with two goals and one assist.

Fitchburg State opened the contest with four consecutive goals as Swan (2), Burns and Kelley found the back of the net to give the Falcons an early 4-0 edge. Westfield State battled back quickly, notching five scores in a 5:30 span to knot the score at 5-5. Both teams continued to trade goals over the final 15 minutes, closing the period at a 10-10 standstill.

In the second half, both teams battled closely, with no team grabbing more than a two goal lead in the half. Westfield State opened the frame with a 12-10 advantage, but Fitchburg State responded with back-to-back goals by Swan and Buns to tie the contest. Later in the half, the Falcons gained a 17-16 lead on scores by sophomore Tessa Leahy (Cohasset, Mass./Cohasset) and Swan, but the Owls responded immediately with a goal by to send the game into extra time.

In the overtime period, Westfield State controlled the tempo of the match, scoring three times to secure its ninth victory of the season. The Owls out-shot the Falcons 42-30 in the match, including a 4-0 advantage in overtime.  Freshman Jill Shaner (Arlington, Mass./Arlington) suffered the loss for the Falcons in net, totaling 12 saves, while freshman Kaity Burns (Wilbraham, Mass./Cathedral) stopped four shots for the Owls.

Fitchburg State (4-6, 1-3 NEWLA) will be in action again on Thursday as it hosts UMass Dartmouth at 6 p.m. Westfield State (9-2, 4-1 NEWLA) will travel to Smith College on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY TO FOLLOW

Westfield State 20, Fitchburg State 17 (2OT)

Goals:
FIT: Emily Swan (5), Amanda Burns (5), Kaitlyn Kelley (3), Constance Perry (2), Carissa Kennedy (1), Tessa Leahy (1);
WES: Laura Chiricosta (8), Rachel Dionne (5), Kasey Rogers (2), Ally Brown (2), Jen Lyon (1), Rachel Costa (1), Kaitlin Welsh (1);

Assists:
FIT: Kelley (2), Kelly Finamore (1), Kennedy (1), Swan (1);
WES: Chiricosta (4), Dionne (3), Brown (1), Danielle DeBurgo (1), Lyon (1), Rogers (1);

Goalkeeping:
FIT: Jill Shaner (66:00), 12 saves
WES: Kaity Burns (66:00), four saves