Wellesley Lacrosse Drops Overtime Epic to Merchant Marine in Season Opener, 8-7

KINGS POINT, N.Y. – Wellesley College lacrosse lost an 8-7 thriller in overtime against United States Merchant Marine Academy to begin the 2024 season on Saturday at Captain James Harvey Tomb Field.

First year Leslie Wysong (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) was the hero for the Mariners (1-0 Overall). The rookie scored with 44 seconds left in overtime off of a pass from classmate Grace Picozzi (Collegeville, Pa.).

Wysong and Picozzi each finished the game with a pair of goals and assists for Merchant Marine. Senior Kaitlyn Latchaw (Phoenix, Md.) added two goals. Wysong caused a game-high five turnovers and Picozzi scooped up nine ground balls. Sophomore keeper Karianna Eagle (Little Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) stopped seven shots for the Mariners.

First year Mallory Kennison (Norway, Maine) recorded a hat-trick for the Blue (0-1 Overall). Senior Gabrielle Shell (Upper Arlington, Ohio) logged a pair of goals and first year Katie McCabe (Jupiter, Fla.) had a goal and two assists. On the defensive side, junior Julee Sharma (Lake Mary, Fla.) grabbed five ground balls. Sophomore goalie Anna Blake Patrick (Portland, Ore.) made 12 saves for Wellesley.

Down 6-4, Kennison completed a hat-trick to make it a one score game roughly four minutes into the final quarter. Sophomore Phoebe Calero (Havre de Grace, Md.) earned an assist on the goal. Wysong struck back for the Mariners a minute later and Picozzi picked up an assist. McCabe struck back for Wellesley to make it 7-6 for Merchant Marine

With 1:56 left in the game, Shell converted a free position shot to knot the game up at 7-7. That score held through the end of the fourth quarter, forcing overtime.

The Mariners scored the first three goals of the game. Picozzi scored twice and senior Reagan Jetter (La Jolla, Calif.) knocked in a goal. Latchaw and Wysong both had assists. Kennison connected on a free-position shot with 2:31 in the first to get the Blue on the scoreboard.

Merchant Marine brought the score to 6-3 in its favor by halftime. Latchaw fired a pair of goals and Jetter added a second goal of the half. Wysong had a second assist. Kennison and Shell put two goals up for Wellesley. McCabe registered a first career assist.

The Blue cut the deficit to two at the 5:44 mark of the third quarter with the only goal of the period. Sophomore Finley Tipton (Coppell, Texas) found the netting off a pass from McCabe.

Merchant Marine outshot Wellesley 24-16. The Mariners got 35 ground balls to the Blue's 30 and won 16-of-18 draw controls. Wellesley went 4-for-6 on free position shots.

The Blue remain on the road for a 4:00 PM game at Gordon on Wednesday, February 28. The Mariners travel to Coast Guard at 12:00 PM on Saturday, March 2.