WENHAM, Mass. — Senior Anna Blomberg (Simsbury, Conn.) scored four goals and added a pair of assists and in the process broke the Gordon College women's lacrosse all-time goal record as the Fighting Scots defeated Wentworth, 19-3, in Commonwealth Coast Conference action.
The Fighting Scots built up a 13-3 lead at halftime and didn't allow the Leopards a good scoring opportunity in the second half to improve to 10-3 overall and 5-1 in the CCC play while the Leopards fall to 3-8 (0-6).
Wentworth came out of the gate with a quick goal less than two minutes into the opening period. Freshman Brandie Holland (Lynn, Mass.) scored her fifth goal of the season off a feed from Heather Saroch (Arnold, Md.). Fellow freshman Molly Dufresne (Plaistow, N.H.) netted her 19th goal of the year on a free-position shot atop the offensive zone.
Blomberg cut the Leopards' lead in half on a pass from sophomore Bailey Grinnell (South Hamilton, Mass.) just in front of the crease. Blomberg caught and fired without taking a step for Gordon's first score. Classmate Stephanie Fitzgerald (Groveland, Mass.) took the ball downfield by herself after winning the subsequent draw control. Fitzgerald bounced a shot off the turf and past Wentworth goalie Robyn Pacini (Stoneham, Mass.) to knot the game at two goals apiece.
Wentworth won the ensuing draw control, but turned it over almost immediately to set up another Gordon score. Abby Illian (Hillsdale, N.J.) forced a turnover and found Blomberg cutting down the middle of the field. Blomberg then converted a free-position attempt for the Scots' first lead.
Several minutes passed until either team was able to get another opportunity on goal before Gordon received six consecutive scores in a five-minute span to open up a 10-2 lead as the Scots received three markers from Fitzgerald, two from Jessica Castelline (Concord, Mass.) and one from Grinnell.
Senior Jane Dietrich (West Hartford, Conn.) grew Gordon's lead to nine goals with 12 minutes left in the half. The Leopards ended the drought with Dufresne's second goal of the day at the 9:23 mark of the period.
Lisa Richardson (Reading, Mass.) and Kari Christensen (Standish, Maine) found the back of the net for their second and first goals of the season, respectively. Gordon's flurry of goals ended with a 10-goal lead at the halftime break, 13-3.
Blomberg completed her hat-trick with 26:27 remaining in the game on an over-the-net pass from Rebecca Smith (Verona, N.J.). Her third goal of the day tied the school record for career goals with 200. The senior attacker broke the record 10 minutes later on a free-position goal, giving her sole possession with 201 goals.
The Scots got four more goals on the day from Richardson, Illian, Hannah Schilke (Westerly, R.I.) and Kristin Fitzgerald (Groveland, Mass.) to round out the scoring.
Stephanie Fitzgerald had four goals and two assists while Castelline added three goals and three assists in the win.
The Scots split time in net between senior Danielle Maguire (Braintree, Mass.), Julianne Kirkpatrick (Rochester, N.Y.) and freshman Holly O'Brien (Newtown, Pa.). Maguire picked up her 10th win of the season in goal, only allowing three shots past her.
Pacini finished the game with 23 saves while also picking up three ground balls. Junior Jessica Houghton (Billerica, Mass.) won five draw controls, picked up three ground balls, and caused three turnovers.
Wentworth steps out of conference for a game against Regis on Monday night, while Gordon hosts Nichols on Tuesday afternoon.
(Portions of this recap courtesy of Gordon Sports Information)
