Second half run propels Endicott over MIT, 18-16
March 8, 2008
BEVERLY, Mass. - The Endicott College women's lacrosse team came from behind to defeat the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 18-16 on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Endicott Stadium in Beverly, Mass. The Gulls used a 7-0 run in the second half to improve their record to a perfect 2-0 on the season.
MIT came out strong in the first half as freshman Stephanie Leger (Vienna, Va./James Madison) found the back of the net just 1:08 into the game to grab a 1-0 lead. The Beavers would extend their lead to 4-0 behind goals by Casey Flynn (Silver Spring, Md./Georgetown Visitation), Eric Little (Sherborn, Mass./St. Mark's), and Laura Watson (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage). The Gulls fought back to tie the score at four-all, getting two goals each from sophomores Valerie Feldman (Albany, N.Y./Guilderland) and Kristen Micho (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill). Endicott would capture their first lead of the match after scoring their fifth straight goal on a free-possession shot by Alex Pearce (Underhill, Vt./Kimball Union Academy). Later, after a second Pearce goal had put the Gulls on top 6-5, The Beavers ran-off four consecutive goals, including two by freshman Molly McCartin (Arlington, Va./Yorktown), to regain control with a 9-6 advantage. The Gulls cut the lead to 9-8 before halftime, as Kristen Micho scored her third goal of the period, and also collected an assist.
MIT began the second half almost as strong as the first, scoring four of the first five goals while building a 13-9 lead. Endicott was able to cut the deficit to 13-11, as freshman Molly Sowles (North Yarmouth, Maine/Greely) and junior Molly Moss (Yarmouth, Maine/North Yarmouth Academy) both scored back-to-back. Casey Flynn would add a goal for MIT on a free-possession shot to go up 14-11. From there it was all Endicott, as the Gulls ran off seven unanswered goals to come from behind and take the lead 18-14. Alex Pearce scored two goals during the run, while Molly Moss and Kellie Cunningham (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton) both collected a goal and two assists. The Beavers tried to answer back as they got two quick scores from Erica Little, but it was just too late. Endicott held on, as they ran out the clock for an 18-16 victory.
The Beavers were led by Casey Flynn and Erica Little, who both had four goals in the loss. Samantha O'Keefe (Carlisle, Mass./Concord Carlisle) had three points on the day, collecting two goals and an assist, while Laura Watson had a team-high seven ground balls and also contributed two goals for MIT.
The Gulls were sparked by Kristen Micho who had a game-high six points on four goals and two assists. Alex Pearce contributed four goals in the win, while peppering the MIT net with a game-high 11 shots on goal. Freshman Kellie Cunningham was also instrumental in the win, scoring two goals, two assists, and grabbing a game-high 10 ground balls.
MIT falls to 0-1, and will play again on Tuesday when they travel to take on Gordon College. With the win Endicott improves to a perfect 2-0 on the young season. The Gulls will be back in action Tuesday when they host Babson College at Endicott Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.