Fitchburg State Edged By Transylvania, 12-10

Panek nets four points for Falcons in non-conference setback

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Fitchburg State University women's lacrosse team dropped a tough 12-10 decision to the Pioneers of Transylvania University in non-conference action this morning at the Dave Martins Field.

Fitchburg State was paced by senior Kayla Panek with a team-leading four points on two goals and two assists as well as one draw control and one caused turnover, while classmate Ali Laferriere added three points on three scores to go along with one ground ball, two draw controls and three caused turnovers.

For Transylvania, junior Julia Ward finished with a game-best five points on five scores in addition to four draw controls, while newcomer Brianna McCulley chipped in with four points on three goals and one helper as well as two ground balls, one draw control and one caused turnover.

Fitchburg State took a 2-1 advantage six minutes into the contest on markers from junior Carrie Long and Laferriere before Transylvania knotted the score (2-2) on a goal by freshman Katie Smith one minute later.

The two team traded goals over the final 22 minutes of the first half with Panek and Laferriere netting markers for the Green and Gold, while Ward and junior Kate Winkelmeyer found the back of the net for the Pioneers to even up the contest at 4-4 going into the break.

Following the intermission, the Falcons regained the lead as freshman Tracy Long connected on her first collegiate tally before Transylvania answered with five straight goals as Ward and McCulley struck for a pair of goals each, while Smith added the other marker to make the score 9-5.

Fitchburg State battled back to tie the game at 10-10 with newcomer Dominique Finlay collecting her first two collegiate goals, while T. Long, Panek and Laferriere recorded tallies as well. Following a goal by sophomore Emma Oliver to put the Pioneers back on top (11-10), McCulley notched an insurance tally roughly two minutes later to secure the victory for Transylvania, resulting in the 12-10 final.

Throughout the game, Fitchburg State held a 30-17 advantage in shots, while also holding a 14-6 margin in ground balls. In between the pipes, sophomore Marguerite Belcher made three saves in the complete game effort for the Falcons, while sophomore Mackenzie Dent turned away 15 shots for the Pioneers in 60 minutes of work.

Fitchburg State (1-2, 0-0 MASCAC) returns to action tomorrow as it takes on the Colonels of Curry College for a contest starting at 10 a.m. in Port Charlotte, Fla. Transylvania (4-1, 0-0 OAC) will battle Becker College on Wednesday in Port Charlotte at 10 a.m.

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