NEWTON, Mass. – Senior Vanessa Pino (Methuen, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal less than a minute into overtime Tuesday afternoon to lead Lasell College to a dramatic 10-9 victory over Washington & Jefferson University in the women's lacrosse home opener at Grellier Field.
Pino's game-winner capped a see-saw battle that saw three lead changes in the second half. After trailing 6-3 early in the half, Lasell battled back to take an 8-7 lead with 18 minutes remaining on a goal by senior Jordan McComb (Cumberland, R.I.). The Presidents came back to go ahead 9-8 with 8:42 to go on a goal by junior Jenna Allen (Sanford, Fla.), but the Lasers tied it up at 9-all with 4:03 remaining in regulation on a free-position goal by junior Kaeli Leddy (South Portland, Maine). Pino tallied the decisive goal 48 seconds into overtime, assisted by junior Amanda DiLeonardo (West Haven, Conn.).
Lasell improves to 2-1 on the season, while Washington & Jefferson drops to 1-4.
McComb and Pino each finished with four-point games to lead Lasell, McComb with three goals and one assist and Pino with two goals and two assists. Sophomore Kellie Matthews (Walpole, Mass.) contributed two goals, DiLeonardo added a goal and two assists, and junior Chloe Shugrue (Worcester, Mass.) chipped in with a goal and an assist. McComb also collected six ground balls and four caused turnovers, and DiLeonardo and Shugrue grabbed five draw controls each.
Junior Rae Larochelle (East Sandwich, Mass.) led all scorers with four goals for the visitors, while sophomore Sofiya Bobrovnikova (Philadelphia, Pa.) added two scores. Larochelle recorded a team-high three draw controls, and freshman Clara Sherwood (Indiana, Pa.) contributed four ground balls and three draw controls.
Junior Morgan Choquet (Woonsocket, R.I.) earned the win (2-1) in goal for Lasell with 10 saves. Junior Sara Maute (Pottstown, Pa.) had a busy day for the Presidents, making 12 saves and recording five ground balls and four caused turnovers.
Lasell is back in action on Thursday, March 14, with a visit to Nichols College for a 4 p.m. draw. W&J will have eight days off before returning to action on Wednesday, March 20, to challenge Marietta at 6 p.m. at Alexandre Stadium.
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