BOSTON, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team will make its first-ever playoff run since the program's inception thanks to a 22-16 win against Gordon College on Wednesday afternoon at Sweeney Field.
The Leopards cap the historic year at 2-6 against league opponents and move to 9-6 overall in the regular season. Gordon shuts the doors on its 2019 campaign at 4-12 overall and 2-6 in the conference.
Both teams battled from the start, as Gordon leading scorer Olivia McCarrick tested sophomore Lily Kuhns (Gloucester, Mass.) early, but the sharp netminder turned the opening shot away in first of many point-black saves.
On the next transition, freshman Sarah Galan (Colchester, Conn.) opened the scoring with a free position goal, before sophomore Emily Rogers (Pembroke, Mass.) built a 2-0 lead just under two minutes in. Brenna Otte and McCarrick brought the score back even 2-2 before taking its first lead of the game with 23:20 left in the half, 3-2. After nearly four minutes of scoreless play, the Leopards tied things up 3-3 after a big caused turnover from freshman Jorgie Pashalian (Cranston, R.I.), before Rogers started a crucial 5-0 run for Wentworth. Kuhns made three saves in the frame to keep Gordon at bay, as the Black & Gold doubled up 8-4 with 11:18 in the half.
Wentworth kept the pedal to the floor on offense while Kuhns backstopped the Leopards on defense, as Gordon could only pull within two goals on a McCarrick snipe with 17:47 left in regulation. Both teams scored nine goals apiece in second-half action, but Wentworth's first-half lead carried them to the historic victory.
Rogers had a 12-point showing on eight goals and four assists, while Paradis chipped in with 11 points on seven goals and two helpers. Galan rounded out multi-goal scoring with six goals and also added seven draw controls. On defense, sophomore Allie Lauersen (York, Maine) had a day with five ground balls and four caused turnovers.
Kuhns made 15 total saves in the cage for Wentworth, including nine in the second half.
Wentworth will face second-seeded Roger Williams in the CCC playoffs on Saturday for a 7:00 p.m. game time.
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