RIC ESCAPES WITH, 10-9, WIN OVER NICHOLS

Providence, RI-Junior attacker Molly Voyer (Lincoln, RI) was set up for the game-winning goal by classmate attacker Nicky Drolet (Somersworth, NH) with 3:26 left in regulation to lead the Rhode Island College women’s lacrosse team to a 10-9 win over Nichols College on Thursday afternoon at the RIC Lacrosse Field.

Drolet finished the game with four goals and an assist for five points to go along with a pair of ground balls. Voyer also put four in the net, while freshman attacker Ashley Signoriello (Cranston, RI) contributed two goals and an assist.

Junior attacker Molly Voyer

Senior defender Jenna Childs (Cranston, RI) notched an assist, picked up a game-high seven ground balls and two caused turnovers. Sophomore midfielder Courtney McKiernan (Hope, RI) had five ground balls and an assist. Freshman goalkeeper Taryn Carbone (Cranston, RI) made nine saves to earn the win (5-4).

RIC (4-5) quickly took a 3-0 lead to start the game as Drolet opened scoring with a free position marker at 27:41. Voyer put in back-to-back tallies 21 seconds apart to stake the hosts to a three-goal cushion at 26:26.

Nichols (3-9) junior attacker Krista-Jean Forand (Plymouth, MA) broke the ice for the Bison at 19:06 with an unassisted tally. The Anchorwomen answered with goals by Drolet and Signoriello to take a 5-1 lead at the 17:31 mark.

Junior attacker Nicky Drolet

NC freshman attacker Toni Minelli (Newington, CT) and Forand each scored to pull the Bison within a pair, 5-3, at 12:55.

Drolet, Signoriello and Voyer all scored to help the Anchorwomen take an 8-4 lead into halftime.

Drolet scored 2:46 into the second half as RIC looked to build momentum. The Bison offense finally came alive, scoring five unanswered goals to tie the game, 9-9, with 6:30 left to play. The Anchorwomen tried to keep the ball away from Nichols, but was unable to maintain possession. Forand pulled the visitors within a goal at 14:10, then junior center Emily Yourie (Ellington, CT) made it a one goal, 9-8, deficit with 7:00 left to play.

After gaining the draw control, NC set up its offense and Minelli netted the equalizer at the 6:30 mark. The Anchorwomen were able gain control of the ball with just over five minutes left to play and held possession for two minutes before Drolet set up Voyer for the game-winner from behind the cage.

Forand finished with four goals to lead the Bison. Minelli and Yourie each netted a pair. Junior goalkeeper Danielle Mott (Cranston, RI) made 10 saves in a losing effort (2-3).

Nichols held the advantage in shots (25-21) and draw controls (13-8), while the Anchorwomen led in ground balls (20-18).

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference action at Keene State on Saturday, April 16 (1 p.m.).

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