Box Score
HENNIKER, N.H. – Playing for the final New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Women's Lacrosse Championship in league history, New England College defeated visiting Mitchell College 13-0 on Saturday afternoon at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire.
THE BASICS
Score: Mitchell 0, New England College 13
Records: Pilgrims 9-7 | Mariners 3-9
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Pilgrims scored two quick goals in the first 39 seconds of the game, taking a 10-0 lead just before halftime and never being threatened.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC senior midfielder Cassie Kelly (Alexandria, Minn.) set a Pilgrim single-season ground ball record, coming into the day with 116 ground balls in 2023 and tallied eight more on the day, breaking the previous school record on 122 that had stood for 23 years set by former NEC great Jill Smock in the 2000 season. Kelly broke the record with her seventh ground ball of the day with just 8:22 left in the second quarter. Kelly, who entered the day with 42 caused turnovers on the season, also set a school single-season record by adding eight during the game, giving her an even 50 for the year. She broke the record of 45 set by former NEC legend Tara Bainbridge in the 2019 season with 6:46 to go in the first quarter. At press time, she is expected to return to the 'Grims next season. Kelly also tallied a hat trick on the day with three goals.
- NEC freshman midfielder Mackenzie McDonald (Boscawen, N.H.) led all scorers with four goals on the day. The rookie added five draw controls, three ground balls and one assist on the day.
- NEC junior attacker Nathalie Antigua (North Brunswick, N.J.) was an offensive force with three goals and three assists to conclude a season that saw her surpass the 100-career goal milestone.
- NEC freshman attacker Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.) contributed two goals and two assists for the 'Grims, while junior attacker Jacqueline Nee (Manchester, N.H.) also added a goal.
- NEC junior goalie Carleigh Knotts (Dover, Del.) posted three saves between the pipes with no goals allowed.
UP NEXT
- NEC concludes their 2023 campaign as the last school ever to claim the NECC conference championship. They will be joining the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) in the 2024 season. Congratulations to the entire team on an outstanding season!
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