BRISTOL, R.I. – The RWU Women’s Lacrosse Team (2-1) defeated the visiting Bridgewater State College Bears (3-2), Monday, on Paolino Field, 13-11. RWU scored five of the game’s final six goals to secure the victory.
The Bears jumped out of halftime on fire, scoring four-straight goals in the first 6:28 of the half to take the 10-8 lead. Junior Courtney Lennon (Medfield, MA) scored two of her game-high six goals during the stretch, but RWU went on to score the next five goals while holding the Bears scoreless until just 13 seconds remained in regulation.
RWU junior Lauren Ferri (Northport, NY) contributed on three of the Hawks’ final five goals, including scoring the unassisted game-winner with 6:30 left in the game. Junior Kate Malenczak (Sayville, NY) notched two of her three goals in the final 7:32 of the game after opening up the contest with its first goal at 27:25.
The Hawks jumped out to its biggest lead of the game after senior Annie Alvord (Yorktown, NY) scored back-to-back goals followed by sophomore Danica Delia’s (Norwalk, CT) goal 5:03 into the game, moving the score to 6-2. The teams traded goals before the Bears scored seven of the next eight tallies for the 10-8 lead with 23:32 remaining in the contest.
The teams played evenly throughout the game, though the Bears went 2-for-11 on free position shots and the Hawks went 4-for-8. Strong goalkeeping by RWU junior Amanda Magee (Columbus, NJ) helped the Hawks, as she tallied 12 saves. Bears senior Meghan Griffin (Billerica, MA) tallied nine saves on the day.
Bears freshman Michelle Navoni (Mansfield, MA) played well at midfield picking up three ground balls, while recording four caused turnovers. Hawks senior midfielder Jessie Alden (Bourne, MA) also recorded four caused turnovers and notched four ground balls.
Lennon eclipsed the 100-goal milestone as she now has 104 markers in her career. Senior midfielder Shannon Manning (Framingham, MA) tallied the 180th goal of her career along with a pair of assists. Laura Swart (2000-2003) holds the Bears' career goal-scoring mark with 188, while Paula Habel (2000-2003) is second all-time with 184.
The Bears look to rebound with a three-game home stand beginning with a 4:30 p.m. contest Thursday against Mount Holyoke. Meanwhile, the Hawks continue their four-game home stand with The Commonwealth Coast Conference opponent New England College, Wednesday at 4 p.m.