NEW LONDON, N.H. – May 2, 2016 – Junior
Nicole Lavigne scored the game-winning overtime goal versus New England College to advance the Colby-Sawyer women's lacrosse team to Saturday's North Atlantic Conference (NAC) final at Castleton University. The Chargers outlasted the Pilgrims 13-12 in the NAC semifinal.
Colby-Sawyer imporves to a program record 12-6 and will play at Castleton University for the NAC title this Saturday at 8:00 p.m. New England College's season ends with an 11-8 record.
The game was a story of two halves as Colby-Sawyer took early command in the first half jumping to a 7-1 lead with six different Chargers scoring. The Pilgrims were able to close the gap to 8-5 by halftime and with 10 minutes remaining in the second half, took their first lead of the game on a Caitlin Shanahan goal.
Colby-Sawyer would struggle to find possession throughout the final 10 minutes, but with time running out on the Chargers' season, Lavigne notched her 51
st goal of the season to tie the game at 12-12. Senior
Caitlyn Whearty had a chance to win the game in regulation as time expired, but NEC's Mackenzie Meegan made one of her seven saves to force the teams to overtime.
In the overtime, Lavigne's heroics came with 1:08 remaining on the clock. The junior earned a free-position attempt for the Chargers and netted her 52
nd goal of the season to earn the program's first trip to a conference final.
Nicole Lavigne led all players with six goals on the day. Senior
Caitlyn Whearty netted three goals on five shots and senior
Sara Berry added a pair of goals for the Chargers. Junior goalkeeper
Meghan Castellano stopped nine shots in her program best 12
th win on the season.
The Pilgrims were led by junior Allison Granata and freshman Alana Scott. Granata netted three goals and two assists, while Scott added three goals and an assist for the visitors. Junior goalkeeper Makenzie Meegan stopped seven shots in the loss.
The Chargers will play in the program's first ever NAC conference championship this Saturday at Castleton University. The game is scheduled for an 8:00pm start.