Blue Lacrosse Falls in Overtime to Endicott

Blue Lacrosse Falls in Overtime to Endicott

BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott College used a late charge to nab a 13-12 overtime victory over the visiting Wellesley lacrosse team on Wednesday afternoon. The win gives the Gulls a 1-0 start to their season, while the Blue drop to 0-2. 

The first half was controlled by Wellesley as they outscored the Gulls 7-4 while doubling in draw controls 8-4. Blue first-year Mary Lemay started the scoring in the opening five minutes as she came up with the unassisted goal. The Gulls answered back three minutes later as rookie Emily Whitney came in off a Blue turnover to tie the up the game. Wellesley then earned a free position goal by first-year Courtney Peterson but the Gulls would again answer back as junior Siri Mason took advantage of a failed clear by Wellesley to slip the ball into the back of the net.

Endicott went on to score their first back to back goals of the game as Meghan Lennon tallied her first goal in a Gull uniform with an assist from Whitney to take a 4-3 lead at 15:03. The Blue picked up their game as they answered back by scoring four unanswered goals led by sophomore Chesley Hooker who tallied a pair. On top of their four consecutive goals to take a three goal lead Wellesley did not allow another goal by the Gulls to close out the half on top 7-4.

The second half was a different story as Endicott outscored the Blue 8-5 while forcing nine turnovers and holding Wellesley to just 12 shots to Endicott's 16.

To open up the second half, Wellesley took a four goal lead after junior Claire Canty scored on a free position shot at the 25:49 mark. Junior Kristin Thor came up big after Clayman caused a Wellesley turnover and capped it off with her first goal of the 2014 season with the assist going to Whitney.

The play sent a spark through the Gulls as they went on to score two more back to back goals by senior Rachel Campos and Clayman to get back within one goal with 15:40 remaining in regulation. The Blue's Canty and Hooker came back to make it a 10-7 came with a goal apiece, but Clayman lit up the scoreboard hitting two consecutive Gulls goal for her third of the game.

In a two minute span at 8:46 both sides earned two goals apiece led by Wellesley's Canty who earned both for the Blue to make it a 12-11 game in Wellesley's favor with 6:23 left in the half. After six scoreless minutes Campos took the game in her hands as she drove down the field and tallied her second goal of the game with 35 seconds left in regulation to force an overtime period.

In the overtime period, Clayman put Endicott ahead early, scoring on a free-position shot. The Gulls held the Blue without a shot in the six-minute extra period to seal the 13-12 victory.

Wellesley's Canty and Hooker each scored four times, with Canty also adding five draw controls and four ground balls. Courtney Peterson and Lemay each finished with a goal and an assist for the Blue, while first-year Wendy Nettleton had a solid game with 12 saves, five ground balls, and one caused turnover. 

For Endicott, Clayman finished with four goals, while Campos, Mason, and Lennon each added two. In goal for Endicott, Ryan Socolow recorded six saves between the pipes on a tough night that saw 10 free position shots. 

Endicott will take the field next on Saturday, March 8th when they host Babson at 1:00 p.m. on North Field. Wellesley will return to action on Saturday as they hit the road to Lasell for a 12:00 p.m. start.