LEICESTER, Mass. – Paced by six goals and three assists from senior Pam Mudge (Hooksett, N.H.), the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team picked up its first win of 2016 as the Leopards used a strong second half to defeat Becker, 20-14.
Wentworth improves to 1-2 on the season while the Hawks drop to 0-5.
A back and forth first half saw the two teams exchange goals with neither side holding more than a two-goal lead. The Leopards led 7-5 with 2:51 remaining on a goal from Mudge, however Becker scored the last two of the half to even the score at 7-all. Mudge would score three goals and assist on another in the final 10 minutes of the half.
Wentworth came out of halftime firing, as they netted three goals before Becker was able to put one on the board. Each team proceeded to go on their share of runs, neither gaining too much ground on the other, until the last run. With 13:17 left in the game, the Leopards netted five straight goals to turn a one-goal deficit into a four-goal advantage and never looked back.
In addition to Mudge's nine points, freshman Brooke Paradis (Pelham, N.H.), junior Amanda Dexter (Harvard, Mass.), and junior Brandie Holland (Lynn, Mass.) had four goals apiece. Senior Hayley Patton (Cranston, R.I.) made 17 saves in the win.
Victoria Belcher (Seekonk, Mass.) guided Becker with five goals and an assist, while Rachel Welling (Charlestown, N.H.) and Taryn Flebbe (Neptune, N.J.) supplied three goals apiece. Becker goalie Nikolle Storey (Cumberland, Maine) made seven saves in the loss.
The Leopards held the advantage in draw controls (19-17), while Becker held the advantage in shots (46-36) and ground balls (31-24).
Wentworth has its home opener on Tuesday night against Elms while Becker resumes play on Monday, March 14th when they travel to Mt. St. Vincent at 4:00 p.m.