Late goals down Seahawks in CCC quarterfinals

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. – The Roger Williams University women's lacrosse team scored twice in the final minute of play to seal a 13-10 victory over Salve Regina University during a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championship quarterfinal round matchup at Gaudet Field on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks avenged a loss to Salve Regina earlier this month, improving to 6-11 on the season, while the Seahawks fall to 11-6 overall.

Senior Sarah Livingston (Westford, Mass.) paced the Seahawks with a team-high four points (2g, 2a), while freshman Gina Tortorici (Deer Park, N.Y.) had a team-best three goals on the afternoon. Sophomore Grace Kelly (Auburn, N.Y.) added a pair of goals to go along with three ground balls and two caused turnovers, while junior Danielle Malconian (Belmont, Mass.) turned in a strong defensive effort with seven ground balls, six draw controls, and two caused turnovers. Sophomore goalie Josie O'Reilly (Middletown, R.I.) made a game-high nine saves in net for the Seahawks.

Freshman Kristen Pingree (Georgetown, Mass.) led all players with five points and four goals for the Hawks, while freshman Kelsey Rahilly (E.Longmeadow, Mass.), sophomore Jessica Searl (Glastonbury, Conn.), and junior Dana Wilfahrt (Hamilton, Mass.) each compiled four points in the win. Senior Danica Delia (Norwalk, Conn.) added two goals and an assist for the Hawks, while sophomore Catherine Smeykal (Collegeville, Pa.) grabbed six ground balls and led all players with four caused turnovers. Junior Justine Sullivan (Norwell, Mass.) earned the win in net for the Hawks, making five saves to earn her sixth victory of the season.

Grace Kelly gave the Seahawks the early lead, scoring the game's first goal on a free position shot just over two minutes into the contest.

Danica Delia answered with consecutive goals for the Hawks to grab a 2-1 advantage, before SRU junior Kelly Burke (Georgetown, Mass.) tied the game off a feed from Livingston.

The Hawks responded with three consecutive goals, receiving one apiece from Searl, Rahilly, and Pingree to take a 5-2 lead.

The Seahawks countered with a three-goal run of their own, as Gina Tortorici and Kristie Cox (Nashua, N.H.) netted unassisted markers, before Molly Shine (Southborough, Mass.) set up Kelly to tie the score at five-all.

The Seahawks quickly tied the game at the start of the second half, as junior Jennifer Jones (Basking Ridge, N.J.) scored an unassisted tally just 43 seconds into the frame.

However, the Hawks answered with their second three-goal run of the contest, receiving markers from Rahilly, Pingree, and Wilfahrt to take a 9-6 advantage.

The Seahawks clawed their way back, scoring four of the next six goals, including two from Livingston and a pair from Tortorici to cut the Hawks' lead down to just one with 6:36 remaining in the second half.

Roger Williams was able maintain possession and drain the clock down to the final minute, when Rahilly and Danielle Neagle (Avon, Conn.) both found the back of the next to seal the victory. Pingree set up Rahilly with just 43 seconds on the clock, while Neagle added an unassisted marker with 17 remaining to lock up the 13-10 victory for Roger Williams.

The Hawks will advance to the CCC Championship semifinals, traveling to Beverly, Mass. to face #1 Endicott at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.