Lasers Rally for a Second Half Comeback; Defeats Simmons 20-12

NEWTON, MA—  Lasell College came back from a three-goal deficit at the start of the second half to defeat Simmons College, 20-12, in Great NOotheast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women’s lacrosse competition, Thursday afternoon on Grellier Field.

The Lasers took an early lead but eventually fell behind at the ten minute mark in the first half.  The Sharks held onto a comfortable lead for twenty minutes before the Lasers pushed for a ten goal run late in the second to seal the victory.

Ashley Slattery (Weymouth, MA) got things started just 32 seconds into the contest, putting Lasell ahead 1-0.  Lasell had gained a 4-2 lead by the 19 minute mark.  Karynne Cabral (Brookfield, CT) connected on a free possession shot moments later to give Lasell a three goal cushion.

Simmon’s Natalie Stever (Chagrin Falls, OH) put in a penalty shot at 18:30 and Justine Beauchamp (Exeter, NH) closed the Lasers’ advantage to just one goal (5-4), at 18:11.  The Sharks evened the score one minute later as Lee Sutherland (Tuftonboro, NH) rolled through traffic in front of the Lasers net and shot to the high left corner.

Lasell regained control of the scoreboard midway through the period when Andrea Ward (Hingham, MA) scored her first mark of the day.

Meaghan Maurice(Portland, ME) intercepted a pass on a Laser clear attempt which transitioned into the Shark’s sixth goal of the day.  Maurice shot a pass to Emily Kaley (Manchester, ME) waiting behind the Lasers net, and Kaley quickly deposited the ball to Stever, who knotted the score once again at 6-all.

After a quick goalie change for the Lasers, Slattery put Lasell back on top, 7-6, with another penalty shot, taking two steps and releasing past Simmons goalkeeper Kelly Last (West Haven, CT).  The third tie came with 9:12 left in the first half when Sutherland tallied her second goal of the day.  Maurice then gave Simmons their first lead with 4:36 left in the half as she tore through the middle and shot overhand into the Lasers net.

Rachel Wallace (Braintree, MA) gave the Sharks a two goal-edge at the three-minute mark, but Neila Kudla (Groton, MA) produced on the Lasers’ offensive end with less than two minutes in the half, to make the score 9-8.  Wallace finished the half with a second goal, for a 10-8 Simmons’ halftime lead.

Beauchamp started the attack in the second half giving Simmons their largest advantage, 11-8.   Tina Canavan (Stonington, CT) answered with a Laser goal at 16:09, then assisted on Nudla’s next tally, at 24:11.

Lasell stayed in arrears for the following four minutes as Sutherland broke down field on a breakaway for the Sharks 12th goal, at which point Canavan twice to tie the score for the fourth time, at 12-all.

Slattery scored the go-ahead goal for Lasell at 18:02 off a free possession attack. Canavan followed up with her seventh goal and Ward put Lasell ahead by three, 15-12, at 12:21.

The Lasers continued their trek, stretching their edge into a 10-goal run over the final twenty minutes of the contest, while holding the Sharks without another tally.

Lasell’s Kristin Coderre (Monson, MA) registered the victory making seven saves in 45 minutes, and allowing just one second half goal.  Canavan collected a game-high 11 points, scoring nine goals and handing out two assists. Kudla and Slattery each produced four points for Lasell, and Ward chipped in with an additional three goals. Canavan and Slattery tied for a contest-best seven draw controls.

Last made 15 stops in a complete game for the Sharks.  Stever and Sutherland matched with three goals each and Wallace and Beauchamp marked two more apiece. Beauchamp also tied with Lasell’s Chelsea Caren (Redding, CT) for a game-best seven ground balls.

Lasell returns to action on Saturday, March 27th for more GNAC opposition, facing Rivier College at 1:00 p.m.