DANBURY, Conn. —
Madison Ratchford (Ridge, N.Y.) dealt a career-high eight goals in the Western Connecticut State University women's lacrosse team's Little East Conference (LEC) Semifinals triumph over the visiting Plymouth State University Panthers at the Westside Athletic Complex on Thursday. The Wolves advanced to the Championship game with a 14-3 record, while the Panthers finished 8-10 overall. WestConn will host the LEC Finals on Saturday at noon against the University of Southern Maine.
Thirty-six seconds into the first period, Victoria Gracy (Bethel, Conn.) ignited the scoring for the hosts following the draw control by Morgan Grace (Brewster, N.Y.). Ratchford rattled off three straight goals across four minutes, including the game-winner at 9:36 in the opening quarter. The Wolves tallied three more in the first as Gracy and Ratchford each netted a woman-up goal to take a 7-0 goal advantage.
With 29 seconds left in the first half, Gracie Menicci put the Panthers on the board, but the Wolves maintained a 10-1 edge. The home team delivered eight more goals in the second half, including three from Ratchford.
