PORTLAND, Maine (4/19/17) – With 32 seconds left in the overtime frame, Madison Beaulieu (West Gardiner, Maine) lifted the St. Joseph's women's lacrosse team over Lasell College, 5-4, Wednesday evening at Deering Memorial Stadium in Portland. The Lasers dip to 7-5 and 4-2 in conference play, while the Monks improve to 8-2 and stay undefeated in the GNAC at 5-0.
The Monks scored four unanswered goals, starting with 3:31 left in the first half, to deadlock the game 4-4 on a goal from Elyse Caiazzo (Scarborough, Maine). The equalizer, which came with 2:15 left in regulation, was Caiazzo's 41st of the season.
Junior Megan Palumbo (Southington, Conn.) won the overtime draw before Emily Manning (Charlestown, R.I.) forced the ball into the hands of St. Joe's. After a good clear attempt, Caiazzo attempted a shot for the game winner, but senior Bridget Delaney (Weymouth, Mass.) came up with one of many point-blank saves to preserve the tie. The Lasers were again denied a chance in the offensive zone, as Brittney Arsenault (Westbook, Maine) scooped up the ground ball on the failed clear, dishing to Jackie Wilson (Tiverton, R.I.) who chucked the ball just wide as the clock ticked down to :51. The Monks then set up their offense, this time converting on the attempt, as Wilson fed Beaulieu the ball for the game winner.
Taylor Yandow (Moretown, Vt.) scored two goals for the Lasers, while Vanessa Pino (Methuen, Mass.) and Jillian Vergados (Tyngsboro, Mass.) registered a goal apiece. Pino additionally won a game-high four draw controls.
Wilson ignited the Monks charge in the first half with her lone goal of the game, and added one assist and six ground balls. Caiazzo finished the game with a hat trick, her ninth in ten games, and scooped up five ground balls.
Despite the deficit, Delaney (7-5) was a force in net for the Lasers, stopping 11 shots on goal. Kaylin Mansir (West Gardiner, Maine) recorded four saves in the win, and moves to 8-2.
Both teams have a quick turnaround and jump back into GNAC action on the road on Saturday, April 22. The Lasers head to New Haven, Conn. to face Albertus Magnus at 12:00 p.m., while the Monks square off with GNAC frontrunner Johnson & Wales at 1:00 p.m.