Comeback Attempt Falls Short as Roger Williams Holds on to Defeat Women’s Lacrosse, 12-11

Photo by DSPics.com

THE BASICS:
- Score: Roger Williams University 12, MIT 11
- Records: MIT (1-1); RWU (1-1)
- Location: Bristol, R.I. (Bayside Field)
- The Lead: Trailing by five goals, MIT battled back to come within one with three minutes remaining, however, it could not overcome the deficit as Roger Williams University held on for a 12-11 non-conference women's lacrosse victory on Saturday afternoon. Senior Ana Flooks (Weston, Conn.) paced the Engineers with five points on two goals and three assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
- First-year Eva Then (Yarmouth, Maine) connected on a pass from senior Cecilia McCormick (Islip, N.Y.) to open the scoring after 2:07 elapsed. RWU gradually recorded three goals, taking a 3-1 lead at the 13:49 mark. MIT responded with four goals during a span of 2:39 to go back in front. First-year Shannon Wing (Westford, Mass.) kicked off the run, followed by a solo strike from Flooks, and a free-position goal by Then. First-year Naomi Lutz (Northbrook, Ill.) capped off the run by redirecting a pass from Flooks with 8:30 on the clock. The Hawks countered with three straight goals, including two during the final 32 seconds of the frame, resulting in a 6-5 edge at halftime.

- RWU carried the momentum into the second stanza, registering four unanswered goals to create a 10-5 cushion at the 20:52 mark. The Lutz-Flooks connection returned exactly 1:20 later, which was followed by unassisted goals from Flooks and McCormick. The Hawks ended their scoring drought, going up 11-8, with 11:32 left to play. However, Wing won the ensuing draw which led to Flooks finding Then to once again bring MIT within two (11-9).

- RWU converted an open-net free-position shot after a foul by sophomore goalie Hannah Adams (McLean, Va.), helping it reestablish its three-goal cushion. The Engineers replied with strikes by Then and first-year Katie Pelton (Wayne, Pa.), cutting their deficit to 12-11 with 3:17 remaining. MIT almost recorded the equalizer, but the Hawks' goalie turned away Then's free-position attempt with 2:33 to go. Once RWU regained possession, it let the shot clock wind down, giving the Engineers the ball with five seconds left. MIT was unable to get the ball out of its defensive end as the Hawks held on the for the win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Then finished with four goals and three draw controls as McCormick posted one goal and two assists. Lutz notched two goals while Wing tallied four groundballs, four draw controls, and two caused turnovers. First-year Christine Padalino (Potomac, Md.) generated four groundballs and four caused turnovers as Adams registered seven saves and four groundballs.

- MIT led the way in shots (26-24), shots on goal (21-19), and groundballs (19-16). RWU had the upper hand in draw controls (15-10).

- The Engineers went 14-of-19 during their clearing attempts and converted one of its five free-position attempts.

- The Hawks went 13-of-18 during their clearing attempts and were 2-of-3 from eight meters.

UP NEXT:
- MIT returns to action on Monday, March 11 when it hosts nationally-ranked No. 10 Tufts University at 6:00 p.m.