Blazers Open Up Home Schedule With Dramatic OT Win

Chicopee, MA – The Elms College women's lacrosse team opened up its home schedule this evening with a dramatic overtime win against Purchase College.

The first half saw back and forth action with the two teams exchanging goals throughout the opening frame. The Blazers would jump out to a 4-1 lead behind goals from Haley Richard (Monson, MA) and Reilly Jodoin (South Hadley, MA). The Panthers would close the half with two goals from Gabriella Castles to cut the Blazers lead to 5-4.

The second half started the same way the first half ended with Purchase scoring two consecutive goals, giving the Panthers their first lead of the game 6-5. Rachel Hayden (North Brookfield, MA) would net two huge goals for the Blazers, her first goal tied the game 6-6 and the second brought Elms to within 1 and set up a thrilling finish. With 4:47 left in the contest Elese Ciarcia (Glastonbury, CT) stepped up and buried a shot to tie things up at 9-9. The Panthers would come right back and take back the lead 10-9 with a goal from Astrella Dacosta. After a turnover by Purchase with two minutes left on the clock Coach Rosa Riccobono called a time out to set up a play, and it payed off.  With only 1:11 left on the clock Arianna Callahan (West Springfield, MA) found the back of the net for the equalizer and would send the game into overtime.

Only 18 seconds into overtime the Panthers had a great opportunity to end it with a point blank shot from Gabriella Castles only to see the blazers keeper Emily Huber (Jefferson, ME) come up with a massive save. The Blazers would not be denied in their home opener and with 1:17 left in the first overtime Alli Zadworny (Northampton, MA) would find the back of the net for the game winner.

Huber was big in net for the Blazers racking up 15 saves on her way to picking up the win.

The Blazers are back in action on Monday when they travel to Gordon College for a non–conference game at 5pm.