Cutler leads MCLA Lacrosse to season opening 17-12 win over Dean

North Adams, MA- MCLA's Mckenzie Cutler scored 8 goals in leading the Trailblazers to a season opening 17-12 win over visiting Dean College this afternoon at sunny Shewcraft Field.  With the win, the Trailblazers are 1-0 while Dean drops to 0-3 on the season.

Cutler got MCLA on the board in the opening minute of play as she tallid off a Rachel Green assist for an early 1-0 lead.  The teams would swap goals and after Dean's Lauryn Wilks tallied, it was 2-2.  The Trailblazers responded with four straight goals to take control of play.  Green got the spurt started with her second goal of the game and then Cutler added two more.  After Brianna Morris potted her first of the season, MCLA led 6-2.  The Trailblazers would eventually lead 9-6 at halftime as they outshot Dean 18-13.

MCLA opened the second half with three straight goals to take a 12-6 lead over the Bulldogs.  Cutler tallied all three markers in the run, the final one coming with 22:49 left to play.  The lead would increase to 16-9 (their largest of the afternoon) when Andrea Villars converted a Free Position shot with just over four minutes remaining.  Dean would score three of the final four goals to slice into the final margin.

Cutler tallied her career best 8 goals on just 12 shots.  She added 5 groundballs and 7 draw controls.  Green and Morris each ended with three goals apiece to compiment Cutler.  Zoe Elwell earned the win between the pipes as she notched 7 saves.

Makayla Fisher scored 4 goals to lead Dean while Frantzleine Nherisson added 3 in a losing effort.  Goal keeper Jamaya Cleveland collected 7 saves in defeat.

MCLA outshot Dean 30-21 in the contest and each side collected 19 groundballs.

MCLA will be on the road on Wednesday as they head to Mitchell College for another non league matchup.