WLAX Rallies From Four Goal Deficit to Upend Purchase

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's lacrosse team erased a three goal fourth quarter deficit to pick up their second win of the season on Tuesday afternoon, stunning Purchase College 7-6 in non-conference action. The victory marks the first time since 2019 that the Mitchell women's lacrosse program has won more than one game in a season.

Daniella Holland (Nanuet, N.Y.) led the Mariners with four goals, including two in the tide shifting final quarter. The senior also assisted on the game winning goal to freshman Lauren Cordero (Selden, N.Y.), which gave the home squad their first advantage of the game with 4:23 remaining in the contest. Jessica Krupnikoff (Farmington, Conn.) added a goal and an assist in the win, while Aizhane Glenn (West Haven, Conn.) potted her first goal of the season. Krupnikoff also finished with a game-high 10 ground balls and eight caused turnovers, while Cordero was credited with four ground balls and five caused turnovers, and Holland registered six balls.

The Panthers went up early, scoring three unanswered goals in the first quarter. Daniella Holland then notched her first score of the afternoon 43 seconds into the second frame to get Mitchell on the board. The score remained 3-1 until Julieth Velasquez found the back of the net with 5:26 to go in the half, before Giavanna Cordero scored unassisted at the 2:54 mark, giving the visitors a 5-1 lead. The Mariners would begin to cut into the deficit just before halftime, as Aizhane Glenn tallied the second goal of her career with just eight seconds on the clock, sending the game to intermission with Mitchell trailing 5-2.

The third quarter was a defensive battle with each team scoring one goal in the span of a minute. Down 6-3 entering the final stanza, the Mariners began their comeback when senior Rachel Ricciuti (East Northport, N.Y.) set up Holland for her third goal just over a minute into the action. Krupnikoff then scored unassisted at the 8:21 mark to make it a one goal game, before Holland capitalized on a free position shot to tie the score 25 seconds later.

The game winning goal came at the 4:21 mark, when Holland spun in front of the net, dumped a pass to Cordero, who in turn fired it past the Purchase goalie, giving the Mariners a lead they would not relinquish.

Mitchell held a 22-20 advantage on shots, won the turnover battle 28-20, scooped 10 more ground balls than the Panthers, and converted 19-21 clear attempts.

Junior Hannah Gomes (Groton, Conn.) played all 60 minutes in the cage and earned the win, making eight saves to go along with three ground balls.

Casandra Schmoger got the start in goal for Purchase and allowed just two goals against seven shots. Amani Jamal took over at halftime and surrounded five goals against 12 shot attempts.

The Mariners (2-4 overall) will return to action on Saturday, April 1, when they host Wells College at 10:00 am. This will also serve as senior day for the Mitchell women's lacrosse team.