Box Score
WESTFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore Laura Chiricosta (Lexington) had game highs of eight goals and four assists and sophomore Rachel Dionne (Feeding Hills) tallied five goals and three assists to lead Westfield State to a 20-17 overtime victory over Fitchburg State in New England Women’s Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) action on Saturday, April 11.
Westfield improves to 9-2 overall and 4-1 in NEWLA. Fitchburg is 4-6 and 1-3.
Despite the records disparity, a close game was anticipated and the Falcons looked like they were going to pull off a victory in regulation. Fitchburg took a 17-16 lead with 11:17 remaining in regulation on a goal by Emily Swan (Franklin), who tied for team-high honors with five goals.
The game was scoreless over the next 11 minutes as the teams traded turnovers and missed shots. Fitchburg was attempting to run out the clock in the final three minutes when Westfield’s Jess Bruso picked up a grounder with 52 seconds remaining.
Westfield missed a free position shot with 27 ticks left but still controlled the ball. Dionne then scored with 13 seconds left in regulation on a nice pass behind the goal from senior Kasey Rogers (West Springfield) to send the game into overtime.
Neither team scored in the first overtime period, then the Owls broke loose for three goals in the second three-minute stanza. The game-winning goal was recorded by freshman Jen Lyon (Pittsfield/Taconic) on a free position shot with 2:38 remaining. Lyon opted to go high as she lofted the ball over the goalie for her nice game-winning shot.
Westfield dominated the draw controls in OT and decided to keep attacking instead of milking the clock. Dionne and Chiricosta teamed up for a goal at the 2:13 mark, and Chiricosta scored on a Dionne assist with 1:25 remaining.
The three-goal final score difference was Westfield’s biggest lead. Fitchburg jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the game’s opening five minutes. Westfield chipped away and took a 9-8 lead with 5:53 left in the first half. The halftime score was 10-10. It was one of 11 ties in the seesaw game.
The teams traded goals in the first 18 minutes of the second period. The Falcons then scored two straight goals in the span of 24 seconds to take its 17-16 lead.
Also scoring five goals for the Falcons was Amanda Burns (Weymouth). Sophomore Kaitlyn Kelley (Pepperell) had three goals and two assists. Fitchburg goalie Jill Shaner (Arlington) made 12 saves.
For Westfield, Rogers and Ally Brown (Andover) both had two goals and an assist.
Laura Chiricosta (far right) fires a shot past the Fitchburg goalie (ball can be seen near her left arm) for a free position goal.