Rinkus Nabs Game Winner in OT for Women's Lacrosse

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.  – Westfield State freshman Nicole Rinkus (Pembroke, Mass.) scored four goals including the game winner in overtime as the Owls outlasted Western New England University, , 13-12, in overtime in the season opener on Saturday afternoon at Golden Bear Stadium.

Rinkus won the center draw and carried the ball all the way into the offensive end before crossing over and bouncing the shot in for the game winner.

Starting five newcomers after losing 10 players to graduation, the Owls found themselves in a battle from the start.

Westfield opened the scoring shortly into the game, Rinkus grabbed her first of the game from a free position shot. The Golden Bears answered just 0:30 later as Miller scored her first of the game, also from a free position. Mazza put the Golden Bears ahead 2-1 after scoring from a free position shot.

The Owls scored four of the next five goals to take a 5-3 lead midway through the first half. Western New England answered by scoring three of the next four goals to tie the game 6-6 going into halftime. Senior Eileen Ruby (New Fairfield, Conn.), senior Kaitlyn Hutter (Stamford, Conn.), and Mazza scored the goals for the Golden Bears. 

Western New England took a 7-6 lead shortly into the second half after Buchanan scored. The Owls scored four of the next six goals to take a 10-9 lead with roughly 12 minutes remaining in regulation. Westfield State took a 12-11 lead with under 2:30 remaining. Buchanan tied the game for the Golden Bears with just 0:25 remaining in regulation after scoring from a free position.

Freshman Nicole Rinkus (Pembroke, Mass.) and senior Sam Donohoe (Pepperell (Mass.) each had four goals for the Owls. Freshman Cassidy Harvey (Niskayuna, N.Y.) added three goals for Westfield State. 

Junior Reilly Miller Goshen, N.Y.), sophomore Hannah Jarvis (Westfield, Mass.), sophomore Liz Mazza (East Longmeadow, Mass.), and freshman Kylie Buchanan (Westfield, Mass.) each scored two goals for the Golden Bears. Jarvis also provided two assists. 

Junior goalie Kaitlyn Marchant (Londonderry, N.H.) made 14 saves for the Golden Bears, while sophomore Sam Simonetty (Poughquag, N.Y./Arlington) , making her first start in net for the Owls finished with seven saves to earn the win.

Western New England (0-1) travels to Mount Holyoke on Wednesday evening. Westfield State (1-0) travels to Mount Holyoke on Wednesday, March 4.