Bay Path opens NECC Campaign with 21-10 loss to Wheelock College

The Bay Path University lacrosse team was defeated by Wheelock College 21-10 on Saturday.  

BOSTON, Mass. - Behind a big second half surge the Wheelock College women's lacrosse team pulled away from visiting Bay Path University to win 21-10 in both teams New England Collegiate Conference opener. Wheelock improves to 1-2 (1-0 NECC) while Bay Path evens their record at 1-1 (0-1 NECC).

The visitors jumped out to a strong start with three early goals including two from free positions, capped by senior Dallas Jackson (Springfield, Mass.) who had her team up 3-0 less than three minutes into the period.

 Over the next 25 minutes Wheelock would recover and score nine of the next 10 goals. Six different players found the back of the net while junior Katie Frade (Dartmouth, Mass.) poured in four goals to see the home team gain a 10-4 advantage.

In the final two minutes of the half, Bay Path got back into the game with goals from junior Elena Helming (Maplewood, N.J.) and classmate Kaylee Herring (Worcester, Vt.) who pulled her team within 10-6 at the break.

Wheelock and Bay Path traded goals at the beginning of the second half as Jackson opened the scoring before senior Violet Vig (Glastonbury, Conn.) answered with a strike of her own. Helming closed the visitors' deficit to 11-8 from a free position but that would be as close as they would get. Frade answered for the home team less than a minute later which began a 9-0 surge that put the game out of reach. Frade also capped Wheelock's scoring for the day with 1:18 to play as they cruised to a 21-10 victory.

Wheelock was led by Frade who poured in a career-best seven goals while securing team-highs of seven ground balls and four caused turnovers. Rookie Ashley Simonet (West Springfield, Mass.) added four scores for the first goals of her collegiate career. Junior Molly Brennan (Walpole, N.H.) contributed a hat trick. Senior goalie Meghan Lewis (South Berwick, Maine) made 13 saves to secure the win.

Bay Path was led by Jackson who netted a team-best four goals. Herring matched her with four points on three goals and an assist while Helming contributed a hat trick. Jackson also led the squad with six ground balls. Senior Brenna Roy (Stafford Springs, Conn.) added a team-high five caused turnovers. Rookie netminder Taryn Karol-Chik (Bridgewater, Mass.) made eight stops in the loss.

Wheelock returns to action on Monday when they travel to Dean for a 4:00 p.m.  matchup. Bay Path heads to Albertus Magnus for a 5:00 p.m. game. 

Story courtesy fo Wheelock College Sports Information Department