AUBURNDALE, Mass. – Sophomores Molly Dufresne (Plaistow, N.H.) and Brandie Holland (Lynn, Mass.) each scored four goals, as the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team defeated Wheelock 14-13 in non-conference action Thursday afternoon at Grellier Field.
The Leopards improve to 2-0 while the Wildcats drop their first game of the season.
Dufresne scored her first of four goals two minutes into the game to give the Leopards the early 1-0 lead. After Wheelock tied the game, Wentworth scored three straight to lead 4-1 seven minutes into the first. But the Wildcats didn't let the game get out of hand, as freshman Molly Koon (Londonderry, N.H.) and senior Molly Centore (Kennebunk, Maine) each scored a pair of goals to tie the game at five. Wentworth closed out the half with an unassisted goal by Holland with a minute left to lead 8-6 at half.
Freshman Katie Frade (Dartmouth, Mass.) and Centore each scored to tie the game at eight. Wentworth didn't hold a lead larger than three goals, However the Leopards didn't let Wheelock take command of the game. A Koon goal in the final two minutes brought the game to one, but the Black and Gold held off a late Wildcat surge for the win.
Senior Jessica Houghton (Billerica, Mass.) tallied three goals in the victory. Koon led her squad with five goals, with Centore right behind with four goals.
Senior Robyn Pacini (Stoneham, Mass.) made 12 saves for the Leopards, while counterpart sophomore Meg Lewis (South Berwick, Maine) stopped 13 shots.
Wentworth opens Commonwealth Coast Conference play Saturday afternoon, as the Leopards host Gordon at 12 p.m. Wheelock travels to Salem State Saturday afternoon.
