BOSTON, Mass – The Wentworth Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team shut the doors on its 2018 campaign with a season-high 23 goals in a non-conference victory (23-8) over Wheelock College Thursday evening at Sweeney Field.
The Leopards, who posted the most wins in program history, finish the year at 7-9 overall, while the Wildcats drop to 8-4 this season.
Despite Wheelock striking first in the 31st second on a free position goal from freshman Ashley Eppolito (Nashua, N.H.), the Leopards went on a nine-goal tear to lead 9-1 with 17:36 remaining in the half. Eppolito and junior Alexah Mellis (East Longmeadow, Mass.) got two back for the Wildcats, before Wentworth freshman Emily Rogers (Pembroke, Mass.), junior Leah Cummins (Plymouth, Mass.) and sophomore Marissa Nelson (Cranston, R.I.) set the game into running time, 13-3. Wentworth closed the half on a 4-3 run to lead 17-6 at halftime.
The Leopards outscored the visitors 6-3 in the second half to secure the non-conference finale, including two goals from Rogers throughout the frame.
Rogers led all scorers with nine points on six goals on three assists while also collecting a season-high 12 draw controls. Cummins and Nelson registered four goals apiece in the win, while juniors Brooke Paradis (Pelham, N.H.) and Jenna Tetreau (Dudley, Mass.) each recorded a hat trick. Senior Haley Sabino (Topsfield, Mass.) and sophomore Julie Dam (Milton, Mass.) rounded out the scoring for the Leopards, as Sabino tallied two goals in her last game as a Leopard.
Three Wildcats scored two goals in the setback via Mellis, Eppolito, and junior Colleen Macdonald (Sandwich, Mass.) off the bench. Junior Georgia Schindele (Sparkhill, N.Y.) and sophomore Katelyn Dickson (Dracut, Mass.) accounted for the remainder of Wheelock's goals.
Freshman Lily Kuhns (Gloucester, Mass.) and junior Liz Gunning (Northport, N.Y.) split 50/50 time in net for the Leopards, as Kuhns earned the win with seven saves in first-half action. Gunning stopped five shots in 30 minutes of relief.
Wheelock netminder Erin Sior (Shrewsbury, Mass.) suffered the loss in net despite 16 saves, two shy of her season-best.
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