Fitchburg State Nipped By Johnson & Wales, 10-7

Comeau and Laferriere net three goals each for Falcons in non-conference setback

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University women's lacrosse team was in action this afternoon, dropping a 10-7 decision to the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University in non-conference women's lacrosse action at Elliot Field.

Johnson and Wales raced out to a quick 5-0 lead on two goals each from juniors Gabrielle Vasile and Raquel Pederzani and a score by senior Lydia Knapp before the Falcons answered with a tally from senior Ali Laferriere to cut the deficit to 5-1.

The Wildcats upped its margin on a score by sophomore Alexandra Anton to make the score 6-1. Fitchburg State responded with a markers from senior Kayla Panek and Laferriere, while Johnson and Wales capped the scoring in the first half on Vasile's third tally of the half to make the score 7-3 after 30 minutes of play.

Following the break, the visitors extended its advantage on goals by Pederzani and freshman Madeline Bishara (9-3) The Falcons battled back as senior Andrea Comeau rattled off three scores, while Laferriere added her third tally on the day to cut the lead to 9-7.

The Green and Gold nearly knotted the score as Laferriere and junior Lia Crutchfield fired back-to-back quality scoring chances, but Wildcats netminder Marianna Consiglio came up with a pair of huge saves for Johnson and Wales before Vasile added an insurance goal with 28 seconds left, resulting in the 10-7 final.

Fitchburg State was paced by Laferriere, who posted three points on three goals as well as one ground ball, two draw controls and one caused turnover, while Comeau added three points with three goals scored, two ground balls and one draw control for the Green and Gold.

For Johnson and Wales, Vasile totaled a game-best four points on four goals to go along with two ground balls and one draw control, while Pederzani added four points on two markers and two helpers to go along with four ground balls, three draw controls and two caused turnovers.

Throughout the match, Johnson and Wales held a 26-17 advantage in shots, while also holding a 28-26 margin in ground balls. In between the pipes, sophomore Marguerite Belcher made 11 saves in the complete game effort for the Falcons, while Consiglio turned away six shots for the Wildcats in 60 minutes of work.

Fitchburg State (1-1, 0-0 MASCAC) returns to action on Monday as it takes on the Pioneers of Transylvania University for a contest starting at 10 a.m. in Port Charlotte, Fla. Johnson and Wales (2-2, 0-0 GNAC) will host Emerson on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

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