Strong Second Half Fuels WLAX Past Bay Path

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's lacrosse team outscored Bay Path University 9-4 in the second half en route to a 15-12 New England Collegiate Conference victory on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.

Kate McCormack and Francesca Pinard each finished with four goals and an assist to lead the Mariners (3-7 overall, 2-3 NECC). Lindsey Fairbank and Rachel Barda also added three goals apiece while Hannah Corrigan contributed a goal and an assist. Goalie Gillian MacLellan made 11 saves in the victory.

Kaylee Herring netted a game-high six goals to pace the Wildcats (2-7 overall, 2-3 NECC). Samantha Rubacha added five goals and an assist while Taryn Karol-Chik finished with a goal. Kristina Tran had a busy day between the pipes and contributed 23 saves.

Mitchell looked to be in control early as a pair of goals by Fairbank helped stake the home team to a 5-2 lead after just 7:33. Bay Path responded by scoring five unanswered goals to pull in front 7-5. Rubacha and Herring each tallied twice during the run, which was finally snapped by Barda's goal with 3:44 to go in the half. Herring struck for one more goal before the halftime buzzer to give the Wildcats an 8-6 advantage at the break.

Herring scored on a free position shot in the opening minute of the second half to give Bay Path its largest lead of the day at 9-6. Mitchell cut the deficit to one behind scores from Fairbank and McCormack, but Rubacha answered with two of the next three goals to extend the lead back to 11-9.

Mitchell dominated the final 13:56, beginning with a Barda goal that again trimmed the margin to one. The Mariners tied the game on a goal by McCormack with 13:36 remaining, and then 17 seconds later she put her team on top with her fourth marker of the day. Pinard and Barda added scores over the next five minutes to extend the Mitchell lead to 14-11 with 8:18 to go.

McCormack filled the stat sheet with game highs of eight draw controls, eight ground balls and four caused turnovers. Pinard added seven draw controls, six ground balls and three caused turnovers. As a squad, the Mariners held a 46-32 edge in shots and a 39-30 advantage in ground balls.

Mitchell will next play at Dean College on Tuesday, April 24 at 4 p.m. Bay Path returns to action at Southern Vermont College on Tuesday at 4 p.m.