MILTON, Mass. – The Curry College women's lacrosse team dropped their home opener in overtime to Eastern Connecticut State University by a score of 9-8. After the loss, the Colonels sit at 0-2 on the year, while the Warriors earn their first win (1-1).
Eastern Connecticut jumped out to an early lead in the contest, cashing in both of the game's first two goals over the opening 13 minutes. Just over five minutes in, Tristan Kijak (Windsor, Conn.) scored off a helper from Sydney Hogan (Northford, Conn.), before Cassie Bennett (Milford, Conn.) made it 2-0 on an unassisted marker. The Colonels turned up the defense, however, and did not allow another score for the remainder of the frame. Meanwhile, on the offensive side, Allie Wysocki (Agawam, Mass.) knotted the score with her first two goals of the season. Taylor Gallagher (Rockland, Mass.) and Katie Tarr (Atkinson, N.H.) assisted on the two goals, respectively.
In the second half, Eastern Connecticut retook a two-goal lead at 4-2, before Curry once again came back to tie the score, this time at 4-all. With 18:04 to play in regulation, a free position goal by Katie Parker (Branford, Conn.) gave the Colonels their first lead of the contest. It would not last long, though, as three unanswered Warrior goals made it 7-5. With just over six minutes left on the clock, Abby Dubel (Wolfeboro, N.H.) found Sharon Doherty (North Easton, Mass.) who scored to bring the teams even once more at 7-7. With under two to play, Kijak notched her fourth tally of the day, this time from Ally Foster (Oakdale, Conn.), to give the visitors a late 8-7 lead. Parker would strike again, though, tying the game at 8-8 with 1:08 to play, a score that would stand through the remainder of regulation.
Following a scoreless first half of the overtime period, the teams switched sides for the back half of the first overtime period. After being outshot 3-0 in the first three minutes, the Colonels looked to rebound. However, it took just one more Eastern Connecticut shot, again from Kijak, to end the tilt in favor of the guests, 9-8.
Kijak led all players in goals (5), points (5), shots on goal (8), ground balls (8), and caused turnovers (7). In the win, Sarah Farag (Holmdel, N.J., 1-1) turned in 14 saves on 22 attempts. Jessica Ginaitt (Warwick, R.I., 0-2) grabbed 12 saves on 21 chances, while Wysocki and Parker shared the team lead in goals, each ending with three. Dubel and Tarr topped the Colonels in ground balls with six each.
The Warriors will host their own home opener on Saturday, March 7 against Farmingdale State at 1:00 p.m. The Colonels will also get back to action on Saturday, as they host Rhode Island College at 2:30 p.m.
For the latest on Curry Athletics, follow the Colonels via social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
