BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Amanda Dexter (Harvard, Mass.) scored three goals, including the eventual game-winner with 7:26 remaining, as the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's lacrosse team topped Becker College 8-7 in non-conference action Monday night at Sweeney Field.
The Leopards snap a five-game losing streak to stand at 3-5, while Becker is now 6-5.
Junior Victoria Belcher (Seekonk, Mass.) scored back-to-back goals to open the first meeting between the two teams and gave the Hawks the early lead. Junior Rachel Welling (Charlestown, N.H.) and senior Tatum Fahs (Foster, R.I.) scored within 18 seconds of each other to give Becker the 4-0 lead. Wentworth fought back with three straight goals to come within one. Senior Jessica Houghton (Billerica, Mass.) scored her team-leading 12th of the season and junior Pam Mudge (Hooksett, N.H.) scored a pair for the Leopards. The Hawks went into the half with the 4-3 lead.
Senior Heather Saroch (Arnold, Md.) joined in on the scoring to begin the second half and tied the game at 4-all. Belcher responded by scoring her third of the game to gain the 5-4 advantage. Dexter's first of three goals tied the game at 5-all, however senior Amy Giguere (Colrain, Mass.) scored off a free position shot go back up by one. Wentworth then strung together three straight goals, with two from Dexter and a goal from senior Alexandrea Banks (Ellington, Conn.), to lead 8-6.
A goal from junior Kailee Ruyack (Beacon, N.Y.) with 1:10 remaining made it a one goal game and the Hawks won the ensuing draw. However, Banks caused a turnover and the ground ball was scooped up by Houghton to give the hosts possession. Wentworth completed the clear and called time out with 24 seconds left before being able to run out the clock to seal the win.
In addition to Dexter's three goals, Mudge scored twice, senior Beverly Farris (Palmer, Mass.) had five ground balls, and Banks caused three turnovers.
Belcher scored three times for the Hawks who also got a goal and an assist from Giguere, Welling, and Fahs. Welling scooped up six ground balls, Fahs caused four turnovers, and Giguere won four draw controls.
Senior goalie Robyn Pacini (Stoneham, Mass.) made 17 saves in the victory. Senior Karena Presscott (New Bedford, Mass.) stopped six shots in net for Becker.
Wentworth finishes its four-game home stand against Commonwealth Coast Conference foe Nichols on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Becker travels to Framingham State on Thursday night.
