Box Score
WESTFIELD, Mass. – Junior Rachel Dionne (5 goals, 2 assists) and sophomore Carly Keeley (4 goals, 2 assists), both from Feeding Hills, Mass. (Agawam HS), scored the game’s final two goals to lead Westfield State to a thrilling 18-17 overtime victory over Castleton State in a New England Women’s Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) early season showdown on Saturday, April 10.
The big victory gave the Owls sole possession of first place in the NEWLA with a 3-0 record. It was Westfield’s sixth straight victory as it boosted its overall record to 7-1. Castleton is 7-4 and 3-1.
The Spartans jumped out to a 6-2 lead 6:22 into the game. But in an outstanding defensive display, the Owls outscored the visitors, 7-1 over the next 28 minutes and 33 seconds to take a 9-7 lead. Keeley snapped a 7-7 halftime tie by scoring two goals in the opening five minutes of the second half.
For the remainder of the game the teams traded leads, with neither team leading by more than a point. And there were nine ties in the final 29 minutes.
Dionne scored the final goal of regulation with 2:55 remaining. Castleton scored the first goal in overtime, a unassisted tally by Nicole Adams with 2:47 remaining.
Dionne quickly tied the score 14 seconds later, with Keeley assisting on the big goal. Keeley then scored the game-winning goal with 1:15 left in overtime.
Castleton won the draw control but the Owls’ Ally Brown picked up a ground ball deep in Spartan territory with 36 seconds remaining then raced downfield to eat up most of the clock.
Brown also played well for the Owls with three goals, seven ground balls and five draw controls. Laura Chiricosta contributed three goals and three assists. Keeley also had five ground balls and 10 draw controls.
Marie VanDerKar scored a game-high six goals for Castleton. Teammate Nichols Adams tallied four goals and four assists.