Coaches Poll: Rams Favorite To Repeat As Conference Champion

By Framingham State athletics

FRAMINGHAM – After winning the 2019 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Regular Season Championship and a narrow defeat in the Tournament Championship the Framingham State women’s lacrosse team has been selected as the preseason favorite for the 2020 season by the eight coaches around the league.

The Rams received 47 points and five of the eight first-place votes. Bridgewater State finished second in the poll with 40 points (2 first-place votes) and Westfield State was right behind them at 39 points and the final first-place selection.

The 2019 Rams captured the MASCAC Regular Season Title for the first time in program history, after finishing undefeated in conference play and finished the season 15-4 overall.

On the season, the Rams again ranked near the top for D3 in assists per Game, finishing second in New England with 8.53 and received seven MASCAC All-Conference awards in addition to Coach Rippey being named MASCAC Coach of the Year.

Leading the offense for the Rams in 2020 will be three-time, All-Conference First Teamer and 2018 IWLCA All-Region selection Grace Gamache (Dartmouth, Mass.). Gamache was the league’s top scorer last year with 96 points, including a MASCAC leading 53 assists.

Joining her on attack will be All-Conference junior Alissa Marino (Trumball, Conn.), who led the MASCAC in goals last year with 63 and contributed 15 assists.

In the midfield, the Rams return three-time All-MASCAC midfielder Nicole Pacheco (Woburn, Mass.) who led the team with 26 CTs and was second in GBs and DCs in addition to accruing 26 goals and 10 assists last year.

First Team All-Conference award winner Hanna McMahon (Watertown, Mass.) also begins her junior campaign after she led the Rams with 57 DCs and contributed 33 goals last season.

Adding to the squad’s depth and experience are senior Morgan Begley (Milton, Mass.) who recorded 27 goals, 11 assist and 39 GBs in 2019 as well as junior captain Jenna McMahon (Watertown, Mass.).

The Ram’s defense is anchored by senior First Team All-Conference selection Casey Bradley (Canton, Mass.) who is joined by returners junior Maggie Destino (Gloucester, Mass.) and sophomore Hailey Davis (Windham, NH).

The Rams welcome ten new members to their 2020 squad:

Alexis Burleigh (Vernon, Conn.) was a four-year varsity starter in goal for Rockland High School and has trained with the LaxPlus club since she began playing.

Brandi Core (Medway, Mass.) was a four-year member and captain senior year of the Medway High School lacrosse team which won the Tri-Valley league and were D2 East finalists last season. Brandi played club with Gold Star lacrosse.

Elizabeth Dollard (Guilderland, NY) a two-year letter winner and scholar athlete senior year at Guilderland High School. Played club with Albany Power throughout high school.

Jordan Utter (Upton, Mass.) was a two time Mid Mass All-Star and captain senior year at Nipmuc High School. Jordan played club with Storm Lacrosse.

Kyra Lyons (Attleboro, Mass.) was the first-ever 100 goal scorer at Attleboro High School, finished her career with 164 goals in all. Three-time Sun Chronicle All-Star and twice named to the Hockomock First Team.

Madison Skiff (Granby, Conn.) was a four-year starter at Granby Memorial High School and in the summer of 2018 was named to the US Lacrosse National Team 2 for Connecticut. Maddy played club with LaxPlus throughout high school.

Nicole Berry (New Fairfield, Conn.) was the leading goal scorer at New Fairfield High School the past three seasons; she recorded 64 goals senior year along with being named First Team All-State. Nicole won three Class S State Championships in addition to back-to-back SWC titles as well.

Samantha Barnum (Bethel, Conn.) was a four-year varsity player at Bethel High School. First Team All-State senior season and scored over 100 goals during her high school career. Played club with West Chester Elite and Yellow Jackets North.

Skye Whitlock (Everett, Mass.) was a DCL All-Star last year at Cambridge R&L after moving to the area from California. Previously played club with 101 Lacrosse and Tenacity.

Sydney Fournier (Vernon, Conn.) was a four-year starter at Rockland High School and three times named a North Central Connecticut All-Star.

2020 MASCAC Women’s Lacrosse Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)