May 5, 2007

#2 Worcester State Falls in NEWLA Championshp

(Courtesy WNEC Sports Information)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore Lindsey Fenton (Amherst, MA) scored six goals and senior Audrey Kelton (Wilder, VT) added two goals and five assists to lead Western New England College to a hard-fought 14-10 victory over visiting Worcester State College Saturday (May 5) in the championship game of the New England Women’s Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament.

This was the Golden Bears’ fourth consecutive league title (fifth overall in seven years) and their last appearance in the NEWLA. Next year Western New England College will compete in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC).

Senior Jess Vogel (Tonawanda, NY) contributed three goals while junior Kayte Devine (New Fairfield, CT) chipped in with two goals and an assist. Junior Jill Caracciolo (Burnt Hills, NY) had a goal and assist.
Junior Kaitlin Zangle (Wingdale, NY) and sophomore Michelle Thompson (Wilbraham, MA) each had an assist. Junior goalie Emilie Donka (White River Junction, VT) compiled nine saves.

Worcester State had four players score points with senior Ann Clark (Worcester, MA) leading the way with four goals. Freshman Amanda Cosenza (Shrewsbury, MA) netted three goals while twin sister Abby Cosenza (Shrewsbury, MA) scored twice. Sophomore Shannon Feeley (West Springfield, MA) notched a goal and assist. Junior goalie Lyndsey Nunes (West Springfield, MA) stopped 10 shots.

Western New England College jumped to an early 4-0 lead and led 5-1 before the Lancers answered with three straight goals to close the margin to 5-4 at half-time. The Golden Bears reeled off five consecutive goals for a 10-4 margin capped when Thompson hit the back of the net with 18:42 remaining.

The Lancers (11-4), who dropped a 13-7 decision to WNEC back on April 7 in Worcester, again came back getting within 12-9 when Clark found the back of the net at the 9:45 mark. Vogel answered with a shot two minutes later and each team traded a goal in the final 3:44.

Western New England College (14-5) receives an automatic invitation to the NCAA Division III Championship that begins on Wednesday (May 9) at campus sites. The pairings for the tournament will be held announced Sunday night.


Box Score