Blue Devils Win Second In a Row, Defeat Fresno State 11-9

The Central Connecticut State University lacrosse team scored the final two goals and defeated Fresno State by a score of 11-9 to improve to 2-0 on the season. It marks the first time CCSU has notched back to back wins since the 2005 season. Junior Michele Conway and freshmen Betsy Vendel and Mackenzy Ryan each scored three goals in the victory. Central will next host Bryant on Saturday, March 6 at 1:00 p.m.

Just like on Tuesday, it was the Blue Devils that got on the board first. This time it was senior Lyndsey Mastandrea on an unassisted goal just 1:44 into the game that sparked the CCSU offense. After three straight goals by Fresno State gave the Bulldogs their first and only lead of the game midway through the opening period, CCSU countered with five straight goals to finish off the half. Vendel netted two of her three goals in the game during the stretch, both coming on free position attempts. The freshman also fed Ryan for a goal during the Blue Devil run, as Central led 8-4 at the break.

The Bulldogs fought back in the second period, scoring the first three goals to cut it to 8-7 in favor of CCSU. Sophomore sisters Michelle and Jennifer Rose recorded goals within one minute of each other to cut into the Blue Devil advantage.

Fresno State's Margaret Wolford tied the game for the first time since 4-4 when she scored on an assist from Amanda Cross with 17:23 to play in the game. CCSU took the lead right back with Ryan's third goal of the game. She received a pass from senior Courtney Mooney who tallied her second assist on the play.

Conway netted the insurance goal with 9:06 on the clock to give CCSU its eventual final score of 11-9. Conway, along with sophomore Ashley Mara, led the Blue Devils with three draw controls in the win, while Ryan recorded team highs of four ground balls and four caused turnovers.

Sophomore Erin DeLancey recorded nine saves to record her second win of the season. The Bulldogs' Katie Wilbur finished the game with 11 saves. Rose and Cross led Fresno State with two goals a piece.