Lacourse kicks Wildcats to win

BOSTON, Mass. - It took an extra 55 seconds of play, but the Wheelock Wildcats won their first game of the season in dramatic fashion, defeating Massachusetts Maritime Academy 2-1 Tuesday night. Midfielder Haley Butler (Yarmouthsport, MA) won a battle at midfield, dribbled past a pair of defenders, and found Lindsey Lacourse (Scarborough, ME) cutting towards the net for the game-winning score less than a minute into the first overtime. (Right: Lindsey Lacourse).

Wheelock dominated the first few minutes of play, managing a barrage of shots on goal before Lacourse broke the scoreless affair 33 minutes into the game with her first goal of the season.

The Wildcats had a number of scoring opportunities as the game continued, but Buccaneers' freshman goalkeeper Rachel Johnson (South Chatham, MA) was sensational, turning away 13 Wheelock shots on goal including eight in the second period.

With under five minutes to play in regulation, Maritime freshman Kim Courcy (Warwick, RI) stole a pass at midfield and dribbled through a host of Wildcat defenders to tie the game with a bullet past a diving Allie Chiesa (Medford, MA). Courcy had been denied earlier in the half, when Chiesa deflected another breakaway to keep Wheelock on top.

The win improves Wheelock to 1-6 on the season while the Buccaneers fall to 0-8. The Wildcats are in action Saturday when they travel to Becker, while Maritime hosts Westfield State Friday night.