The Keuka College Women’s Lacrosse team held a 5-2 lead at halftime but lost to Thiel College 9-8 in their home opener at the Jephson Community Athletic Complex on Tuesday.
Brooke Bonetti (Seneca Falls, N.Y. / Mynderse Academy) continued her strong start to the season with three more goals. Lauren Vitello (Webster, N.Y. / Webster Schroeder) made 12 saves for Keuka College (0-2). Tori Nelson (Vernon Center, N.Y. / Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) added a pair of goals for the Wolves
Both teams struggled with possession early in the game with multiple turnovers. The Wolves would settle play and get on the board first and Lainie Forde (Waterloo, N.Y. / Waterloo) found the back of the net for the Wolves. Katie Deatherage (Canandaigua, N.Y. / Marcus Whitman) doubled the lead and Tori Nelson put a cap on the quarter for the Wolves. Lauren Vitello made for saves in the frame as the Wolves led 3-0 after one.
The Tomcats got on the board early in the second quarter, but the Wolves answered back with two goals in quick succession. Brooke Bonetti got both goals, separated by just 26 seconds with Maddie Fassinger (Camillus, N.Y. / West Genesee) and Brooklyn Ayers (Penn Yan, N.Y. / Penn Yan Academy) getting the assists. Both the possessions were set up by draw controls from first-year Rylie Pratt (Penfield, N.Y. / Wayne). Thiel added a goal midway through the frame. The final seven minutes of the half were scoreless as the Wolves led 5-2 at the half.
The third quarter belonged to Thiel as the Tomcats scored three goals in the opening 5:35 to tie the game at 5-5. The visitors took the lead with 3:32 left in the third and took the 6-5 advantage into the final quarter.
The Wolves tied the game at 6-6 with Tori Nelson converting a free-position opportunity with 10:49 left in regulation. The goal snapped a 30-minute drought for the Green and Gold. However, Thiel regained the lead a minute later. The game would ping back and forth. Brooke Bonetti had a chance to tie the game but rang the ball off the crossbar. The Wolves got the ball, and Brooklyn Ayers got her second assist of the game, setting up Liz Spin (Auburn, N.Y. / Auburn) to tie the game with six minutes left to play. Thiel responded with a pair of quick goals to lead 9-7 with four minutes remaining. Keuka took advantage of a pair of Thiel green cards and Brooke Bonetti scored her third to make it a one-goal game with 1:10 remaining. The Wolves won the ensuing draw, but Thiel quickly forced a turnover. The Tomcats ran out the clock to secure the 9-8 victory over Keuka.
KC Notes:
- The Wolves fall to 0-2 all-time against Thiel in a series that started last season
- With her three goals, Brooke Bonetti surpassed 50 goals in her career
- Rylie Pratt led the Wolves with four draw controls. As a team, Keuka had a 12-9 edge in draws
- Rosie Wallace (Oswego, N.Y. / Oswego) recorded a team-high four caused turnovers against the Tomcats
- It was the first career goal for Lainie Forde
Up Next for Keuka College: Tuesday’s game against Thiel started a four-game homestand for the Green and Gold. Keuka College will be back at the Jephson Community Athletic Center on Friday, March 14 as the Wolves host Hilbert College at 4 p.m.
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