Mallards thump Colonel Richardson, 19-11; Face Decatur on Monday

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's girl's varsity lacrosse team got back to the .500 mark this week, thrashing visiting Colonel Richardson, 19-11, on Tuesday to pull even at 4-4 with a pair of games against conference rival Salisbury School and neighborhood rival Stephen Decatur looming.

The Mallards used a goal-scoring flurry, led by Alexandra Smith, near the end of the first half to pull away from the Colonels after a fairly even first period. Worcester led 7-4 with about 10 minutes remaining in the first half when they went on a scoring binge to settle the issue.

Caroline Wyatt scored on a fast break with 8:13 left in the first half to extend the lead to 8-4 and Elizabeth Hudson added another goal less than a minute later to make it 9-4. The two teams played even with no goals scored for over six minutes before Caesar Rodney got back on the board with 1:25 remaining to cut the lead to 9-5 as half-time approached when Smith took over in the final minute.

Smith scored on a perfect feed on the crease from Mackenzie White with 49 seconds remaining to make it 10-5 and the same scenario repeated itself about 20 seconds later when White hit an open Smith on the crease to make it 11-5. Seconds later, Worcester intercepted an attempted clear by the Colonels' goalie and hit Smith streaking down the middle for another goal to make it 12-5. When the dust settled, Smith had scored three goals in 49 seconds to stake the Mallards to a big half-time lead.

The two teams swapped goals in a see-saw second half and Worcester led 14-8 with just under 14 minutes remaining. Polly McNab extended the lead to 15-8 on a fast-break goal with 5:25 left. Colonel Richardson had plenty of opportunities down the stretch but could not cut into the Mallards' lead. In the end, Worcester pulled away for the 19-11 win to improve to 4-4.

Smith led all Worcester scorers with four goals, while Kristin Chandler, Caroline Wyatt and Jackie Wangel all scored three goals each.

The win sets up a big couple of games for Worcester starting with a match-up with ESIAC rival Salisbury School this afternoon at home. Worcester had dominated the series in the past, but the Dragons have improved over the years and the games with the Mallards are almost always tight.

Worcester then plays cross-town rival Stephen Decatur at home on Monday. The Mallards have dominated the rivalry between friendly neighbors in the past, but Decatur beat Worcester for the first time ever last April. The Seahawks are cruising with an unblemished record this season and appear to have the upper hand on Worcester again this year, but anything can happen when the two teams play regardless of records.