Becker Shoots Past Fitchburg State, 13-8

Laferriere and Panek register four points each for Falcons in non-conference setback

LEICESTER, Mass. (March 25, 2014) – The Fitchburg State women's lacrosse team was in action this afternoon, dropping  a 13-8 decision to the Hawks of Becker College in non-conference action at Alumni Field.

Senior Christina Boucher (Pawcatuck, Mass.) and classmate Ashley Mossey (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) led the way for the Hawks offense, totaling a team-best three tallies each, while junior Tatum Fahs (Foster, R.I.) aided the Becker attacker, finishing with three points on the afternoon on two scores and one dish.

Fitchburg State's offense was sparked by freshman attacker Ali Laferriere (Tyngsboro, Mass.), who posted a game-best four goals, while classmate Kayla Panek (Belchertown, Mass.) notched four points on one score and three assists. Senior Markie Apple (Pittsfield, Mass.) was also solid for the Falcons, collecting a pair of goals.

Becker jumped out to a two goal lead at the half (6-4), using a 3-0 run to open the contest on goals by Mossey, Boucher and sophomore Kailee Ruyack (Beacon, N.Y.) in the opening four minutes of play. Fitchburg State cut its deficit to only two (5-3) behind goals from sophomore Lindsey White (Hanover, Mass.), Panek and Laferriere before the two squads traded scores to close out the half.

Following the break, Fitchburg State clipped the Hawks lead to just one on a marker from Laferriere, but a 4-2 rally to close out the contest prove to be the difference maker for Becker, using goals by Mossey, sophomore Victoria Belcher (Seekonk, Mass.) and sophomore Rachel Welling (Charlestown N.H.), while Fahs capped the scoring at the 1:42 mark.

In goal, sophomore Elizabeth Darrigo (Billerica, Mass.) stopped 15 shots for the Falcons in the setback, while sophomore Shelby Wicks (Shaftsbury, Vt.) turned away eight shots for Becker en-route to her second victory on the year.

For the game, the Hawks out-shot Fitchburg State 38-20, while also collecting a 38-26 advantage in groundballs. Draws were relatively even with the Falcons holding a slim 13-10 margin but 35 Fitchburg State turnovers proved to be the offensive difference maker.

Fitchburg State (1-3, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Thursday as it visits Elms College for a contest starting at 6 p.m., while Becker (2-3, 0-0 NECC) will host the Amcats of Anna Maria College on Thursday at 4 p.m.