Gulls Take Season Opener in OT Thriller Over Wellesley

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott women's lacrosse team played host to non-conference opponent Wellesley on Wednesday evening. Junior Ellie Clayman (Beverly, Mass.) tallied four goals and one assist in the comeback win for the Blue and Green to seal the 13-12 overtime victory. The Gulls start off the season at 1-0, (0-0 CCC) while the Blue fall to 0-1, (0-0 NEWMAC).

The first half was controlled by Wellesley as they outscored the Gulls 7-4 while doubling in draw controls 8-4. Freshman Mary Lemay (Longmeadow, Mass.) started the scoring in the opening five minutes as she came up with the unassisted goal. The Blue and Green answered back three minutes later as rookie Emily Whitney (Rye, N.H.) came in off a Blue turnover to tie the up the game. Wellesley then earned a free position goal by freshman Courtney Peterson (Gastonbury, Conn.) but the Gulls would again answer back as junior Siri Mason (Williamstown, Mass.) took advantage of a failed clear by Wellesley to slip the ball past freshman goalkeeper Wendy Nettleton (La Jolla, Calif.).

Endicott went on to score their first back to back goals of the game as freshman Meghan Lennon (Canton, Mass.) tallied her first goal in a Gull uniform with an assist from Whitney to take a 4-3 lead at 15:03. The Blue picked up their game as they answered back by scoring four unanswered goals led by sophomore Chelsea Hooker (Cypress, Texas) who tallied two. On top of their four consecutive goals to take a three goal lead Wellesley did not allow another goal by the Blue and Green to close out the half on top 7-4.

Coach Fitzgerald must have given Endicott a good halftime pep talk because the Gulls came out firing in the second half as they outscored the Blue 8-5 while forcing nine turnovers and holding Wellesley to just 12 shots to Endicott's 16.

To open up the second half Wellesley took a four goal lead after junior Claire Canty (East Rickaway, N.Y.) took a free position shot to sneak the ball past senior goalkeeper Ryan Socolow (Westborough, Mass.) at the 25:49 mark. Junior Kristin Thor (Longmeadow, Mass.) came up big after Clayman caused a Wellesley turnover and capped it off with her first goal of the 2014 season with the assist going to Whitney.

The play sent a spark through the Gulls as they went on to score two more back to back goals by senior Rachel Campos (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and Clayman to get back within one goal with 15:40 remaining in regulation. The Blue's Canty and Hooker came back to make it a 10-7 came with a goal apiece, but Clayman lit up the scoreboard hitting two consecutive Gulls goal for her third of the game.

In a two minute span at 8:46 both sides earned two goals apiece led by Wellesley's Canty who earned both for the Blue to make it a 12-11 game in Wellesley's favor with 6:23 left in the half. After six scoreless minutes Campos took the game in her hands as she drove down the field and tallied her second goal of the game with 35 seconds left in regulation to force an overtime period.

In the overtime period Clayman capped off the game with her fourth goal of the game off a free position shot to secure the 13-12 victory. Socolow recorded six saves between the pipes on a tough night that saw 10 free position shots, the senior worked hard by only allowing four of them to pass the goal line. Nettleton also posted an impressive game in goal despite the loss as she came up with 12 saves on the night. Overall Clayman led with five points followed by freshman Whitney who tabbed three.

Endicott will take the field next on Saturday, March 8^th when they host Babson at 1:00 p.m. on North Field. Wellesley will also see time on Saturday as they hit the road to Lasell for a 12:00 p.m. start.