Bridgewater State Shoots Past Women's Lacrosse, 21-9

Worcester, MA --- Bridgewater State freshman Melissa Renauld (Framingham, MA) netted a season-high eight goals and added an assist to help lift the Bears past Worcester State, 21-9, in MASCAC women's lacrosse action this afternoon at Coughlin Field.

With the win BSU runs their streak to six games and improves their record to 8-3 (2-0 MASCAC). The Lancers fall to 4-3 overall in their first league contest of the campaign.

Renauld potted the first score of the game just 30 ticks into the opening half for the early 1-0 advantage.

The teams then traded a pair of free position goals each before Renauld struck twice more over a one-minute span to give the Bears a 5-2 edge at the 14:17 mark.

Bridgewater State then grabbed a four-goal cushion after senior Taylor Clancy (Braintree, MA) found the back of the net at the 12:11 mark.

Worcester State kept pace as sophomore Jackie Connors (Ashland, MA) responded with a tally of her own at the 11:02 mark for the 6-3 score.

The Bears then used a mini 3-1 spurt highlighted by a pair of goals from sophomore Lauren Geary (Hull, MA) to open up a 9-4 lead with 5:54 remaining before halftime.

The Blue and Gold were poised to keep the game close and fired home two quick tallies in just 32 seconds to trail by three as 2:51 read on the clock (9-6). Connors and sophomore classmate Kaila Chase (Northbridge, MA) were the goal scorers for the hosts.

The momentum was short lived, however, as Bridgewater State answered with a pair of their own to regain the 11-6 margin at the half.

The Crimson and Black took advantage of some crucial Lancer turnovers in the first half as five of their 11 scores came off Worcester State miscues.

The second stanza started with back-and-fourth defensive play before sophomore Katelyn Murphy (Billerica, MA) snuck one between the pipes to cut into the deficit at 11-7 at the 23:02 mark.

Bridgewater State responded quickly and rattled off three scores in a row as Clancy sandwiched a goal between a pair of markers from Renauld to give the Bears a 14-7 edge at the 17:55 mark.

Chase and junior Molly Kilday (Westford, MA) then struck on back-to-back occasions at the14:42 and 12:51, respectively, to help keep pace at 14-9.

The Bears though pulled away by rattling off the last seven goals of the game to close out the contest.

Clancy finished the day with seven points (five goals, two assists) and Geary recorded four goals and added an assist for the Bears as well as turning in game-highs in ground balls and draw controls with six apiece on the defensive side.

Chase, Kilday, and Connors each had a pair of scores to pace the Worcester State offense while Connors was also the back line standout, tallying four ground balls and five draw controls to lead the team. Junior Jackie Lawlor (Westford, MA) also added four ground balls of her own.

BSU freshman goalie Allie Forman (Marblehead, MA) registered 10 saves and improved her record to 6-2 with the win as WSU first-year net-minder Lea Robichaud (Holden, MA) stopped eight shots in the setback and fell to 4-3 on the season in the setback

The Bears led in shots (36-25) and attempts on goal (29-19) while the visitors also held a slim 26-23 margin in ground balls. Draws were even for the contest (15-15).

BSU did a tremendous job clearing the ball out of their own end, finishing 12-for-15 as the Lancers were 11-for-16 for the game. The Bears also converted four of their five free position attempts. 

The Lancers return to action on Thursday night when they travel to Rhode Island College at 6 PM and Bridgewater State heads to Plymouth State on Wednesday night for a 6:30 PM match-up.

Story By John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant

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