Falcons Edge Kangaroos, 13-12 (2OT)

C. Long nets game-winner to propel Fitchburg State to non-conference victory

Port Charlotte, Fla. – Senior Carrie Long (Foxboro, Mass.) notched the game-winner with 1:03 left in the second overtime as the Fitchburg State University women's lacrosse team defeated the Kangaroos of SUNY Canton, 13-12 in double overtime at Ross Park this morning in the Falcons third and final contest at the Spring Fling Games in Florida.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 13, SUNY Canton 12 (2OT)

Records: Fitchburg State (4-0) | SUNY Canton (2-2)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State grabbed an early 4-2 lead on markers form sophomores Sarah Napolitano (Peabody, Mass,), Rebecca Fisher (Dracut, Mass.) and Tracy Long (Georgetown, Mass.) and junior Anna Gagnon-Burch (Putney, Vt.) before SUNY Canton tied the score (4-4) as senior Allison Auger (Lockport, N.Y.) and sophomore Molly Denny (Adams, N.Y.) potted goals. The Falcons regained the lead late in the first half as T. Long connected on her second tally of the contest to give the Green and Gold a 5-4 margin after 30 minutes of play.

Following the break, Fitchburg State extended it advantage (8-4) with goals by C. Long, Fisher and Napolitano. After a back-to-back scores from freshman Madison Alves (Braintree, Mass.) and Gagnon-Burch push the Falcons lead to 11-8, SUNY Canton answered back on markers from sophomore Logan Bush (Watertown, N.Y.) and newcomer Carin Sherwood (Hammond. N.Y.), knotting the score at 12-12.

After a scoreless first overtime, the Green and Gold secured the win with 1:03 left in the second extra frame as C. Long found the back of the net for her second goal of the game, resulting in the 13-12 final.

Inside the Numbers,

First ever meeting between the two schools on the lacrosse field.

Napolitano and Gagnon-Burch led the way for the Falcons offense, combining for eight points (5G, 3A) as well as three ground balls and one draw control, while C. Long continued her stellar senior season, posting two goals, six ground balls, seven draw controls and ten caused turnovers.

For the Kangaroos, Auger registered a game-best five points on three goals and two helper to go along with two ground balls and two draw controls, while Denny added four points on three goals and one assist as well as three ground balls, one draw control and three caused turnovers.

In goal, junior Marguerite Belcher (Quincy, Mass.) finished with ten saves in the complete game effort for Fitchburg State.

Freshman Nicole Pieskorowski (Brockport, N.Y.) stopped 12 shots of SUNY Canton in 64:57 minutes of action.

SUNY Canton held a slim 32-32 advantage in shots, while Fitchburg State finished with a 21-17 margin in ground balls.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Chargers of Colby-Sawyer College on Wednesday for starting at 4:00 PM. Kangaroos will travel to Salem State next Saturday for a 12:00 PM start.