Murtha's Dozen Leads Women's LAX Past Daniel Webster
NASHUA, N.H. - Host Daniel Webster College jumped out to an early lead but couldn't hold on, as Mitchell College rallied behind the play of Ashley Murtha to win 17-12 on Sunday afternoon at Eagle Field.
For the second time in four days, Murtha tallied a season-high 12 goals to lead the Mariners (5-4 overall, 3-2 NECC). She also added an assist against the Eagles to finish with 13 points on the day. The 12 goals are the most scored by any women's lacrosse player in a game at any NCAA level this season.
Kate McCormack added four scores and Katie McBride chipped in with a goal and assist. Samantha Ryan earned the win in goal making 10 saves for the Mariners.
Amanda Dargie tied the DWC's single game record by scoring nine goals for the Eagles (2-9, 1-4 NECC). Madeline Roulier posted two goals and two assists while Kathleen Zimmerman handed out three assists. Madison Platte chipped in with one goal. Madison Wood made 16 saves in goal for the Eagles.
Roulier converted twice out of the gate for DWC--scoring 40 seconds in and 39 seconds later--while Dargie upped it to 3-0 at the 4:37 mark. Murtha picked up her first with 6:49 gone, but DWC jumped back up 4-1 on Dargie's second off a Zimmerman pass.
Murtha, however, was just getting started, and she scored six of the next seven goals for the Mariners with McCormack picking up one. Murtha's third of the game tied it at 4-4 on the free position, and her fourth gave Mitchell its first and final lead with 5:01 to go in the half.
After Murtha completed a natural hat trick to make it 6-4 with 4:22 to go, Dargie followed at the 1:23 mark for a 6-5 game. But Murtha answered with a pair inside the final 32 seconds for an 8-5 lead at the break.
The teams traded goals three times before Murtha and McBride went back-to-back with 16:28 and 15:49 left to open a 13-8 lead, and DWC pulled no closer than four down the stretch.
Mitchell finished with a 33-22 shots on goal advantage (40-29 overall) while ground balls and clears were virtually even.
Mitchell will next host Wheelock College in a NECC matchup on Wednesday, April 20 at 4:00 p.m.